Arrifana
Portugal · Atlantic Europe
Right now
FoggyWind and swell direction
Swell: 0.9m NW
Wind: 9 km/h NNW (cross-onshore)
Beach faces: W
Cross-onshore wind. Wave faces are getting chopped up, conditions are average.
Swell direction is a decent angle for this beach.
Today hour by hour
Updated 09:17Expected crowds
Prediction model v16amDawn patrol territory
7amMidweek quiet
Next 7 days
Forecast via Open-MeteoWhat to pack
- 3/2mm wetsuit or spring suit for 18°C water.
- Standard shortboard conditions.
Today's briefing
1.0m swell at 6s on a short period. Moderate winds. Water temperature 18°C.
AI-generated summary for Arrifana. Always check local reports before heading out.
Forecast accuracy at Arrifana
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 Today around 10am (score: 23). 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 modelBest on mid-high tide
Swell forecast
7-day forecastDaily score breakdown
This week is looking below average for late April.
Comparing the 7-day forecast to the last 5 years of marine data for the same week at Arrifana.
What's driving it
Recent form
Last 3 days of logged conditions.
About Arrifana
Arrifana is a visually striking, highly sheltered beach and reef break located on the south-western coast of Portugal's Algarve region. Set at the base of towering limestone cliffs, the seafloor is a composite of compacted sand over a flat rock base, with a prominent rocky point at the northern end. This distinct horseshoe geography provides substantial protection from the dominant northerly winds, ensuring clean surface conditions when surrounding exposed breaks are blown out. The wave functions optimally on moderate westerly or north-westerly swells; massive Atlantic winter storms tend to overpower the bay, causing it to close out. An easterly offshore wind further improves the wave shape. The primary peak offers a reliable, peeling right-hander that breaks softly over the sand and rock mix, rendering it exceptionally suitable for beginner surfers. The wave face is generally forgiving, promoting fluid, drawn-out turns rather than critical, high-speed tube riding. The protective cliffs and reliable wave mechanics make Arrifana one of the most consistent and accessible surf zones in Portugal.
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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 Arrifana. 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 Arrifana?
Check our timing score heatmap above for a week-by-week breakdown combining surf conditions with crowd pressure.