Santa Cruz
Portugal · Atlantic Europe
Right now
FoggyWind and swell direction
Swell: 1.2m NNW
Wind: 7 km/h NNW (cross-onshore)
Beach faces: W
Very light wind. Expect glassy, clean conditions.
Swell direction is a decent angle for this beach.
Today hour by hour
Updated 10:03Expected crowds
Prediction model v16amDawn patrol territory
7amMidweek quiet
Next 7 days
Forecast via Open-MeteoWhat to pack
- 3/2mm wetsuit or spring suit for 17°C water.
- Standard shortboard conditions.
Today's briefing
1.2m swell at 6s on a short period. Moderate winds. Water temperature 16°C.
AI-generated summary for Santa Cruz. Always check local reports before heading out.
Forecast accuracy at Santa Cruz
Not enough data yet. Log a session to help build the accuracy score.
Best time to go
No great windows in the next 2 days
Best available option is Tomorrow around 6am (score: 35). Conditions are below the Good threshold but may still be surfable.
Nearby spots right now
Crowd report
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Session journal
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Create free accountTide
Approximate modelSwell forecast
7-day forecastDaily score breakdown
This week is looking above average for late April.
Comparing the 7-day forecast to the last 5 years of marine data for the same week at Santa Cruz.
What's driving it
Recent form
Last 3 days of logged conditions.
About Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is a highly exposed, energetic beach break situated on the central coastline of Portugal, north of Ericeira. The bathymetry relies entirely on mobile silica sandbanks that shift continuously under the influence of powerful Atlantic currents and tidal fluctuations. Because the coastline faces directly west, it acts as a primary receptor for unimpeded groundswells, capturing maximum wave energy. An easterly offshore wind is essential to groom the inherently choppy wave faces and hold up the steep peaks. The wave mechanics produce fast, punchy A-frames that offer rapid take-offs and heavy, plunging sections, frequently throwing hollow barrels on the lower tides. Due to the high volume of water moving across the shallow sandbars, the wave generates substantial hydraulic force and aggressive, sweeping rip currents. It requires quick pop-ups, immediate speed generation, and strong paddling capabilities. Therefore, Santa Cruz is best suited for intermediate to advanced surfers who can confidently negotiate powerful, shifting beach break conditions.
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Create Profile →Frequently asked questions
How often is this page updated?
Current conditions refresh every 6 hours when the cron runs. Hourly data updates every 30 minutes. The 7-day forecast, luck factor, and packing notes are all pre-computed at the same time.
What is the luck factor?
We compare the 7-day forecast to the last 5 years of marine data for the same week at Santa Cruz. The delta tells you whether conditions are shaping up better, worse, or about the same as a typical late April.
How is 'best session' picked?
We score each day of the 7-day forecast using the same algorithm as the leaderboard, and highlight the highest scorer.
Where does the data come from?
Open-Meteo's Marine API (swell height, period, water temperature) and Weather API (wind and conditions).
Does the score capture local knowledge?
Honestly, no. Every break has tide windows, swell directions and reef contours that a global model cannot see. Treat the score as a starting point, then check a local cam.
When is the best time to surf Santa Cruz?
Check our timing score heatmap above for a week-by-week breakdown combining surf conditions with crowd pressure.