Baleal
Portugal · Atlantic Europe
Right now
OvercastWind and swell direction
Swell: 1.3m NNW
Wind: 8 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 08:35Expected 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.
- Rain jacket for between sessions.
Today's briefing
1.2m swell at 6s on a short period. Onshore wind creating some chop. Water temperature 16°C.
AI-generated summary for Baleal. Always check local reports before heading out.
Forecast accuracy at Baleal
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 11am (score: 24). Conditions are below the Good threshold but may still be surfable.
Nearby spots right now
Crowd report
No recent check-ins. Be the first to report.
Session journal
Record your session, conditions and gear.
Sign up to save favourite spots and get surf alerts
Create free accountTide
Approximate modelSwell forecast
7-day forecastDaily score breakdown
This week is looking well below average for late April.
Comparing the 7-day forecast to the last 5 years of marine data for the same week at Baleal.
What's driving it
Recent form
Last 3 days of logged conditions.
About Baleal
Baleal is a highly unique, dual-facing beach break situated on a narrow tombolo near Peniche, Portugal. The geomorphology consists of a sandy isthmus connecting a small rocky peninsula to the mainland, creating two distinct bays facing north and south. The seafloor on both sides is predominantly compacted sand with scattered limestone rock shelves. This rare geographical configuration means Baleal acts as a natural swell filter; massive north-westerly winter swells that close out the northern bay wrap cleanly into the sheltered southern bay, producing highly manageable, peeling waves. Conversely, smaller summer swells directly hit the northern side. An easterly offshore wind is optimal for grooming the faces on either side. The waves are generally soft and spilling, providing long, forgiving walls. This exceptional versatility and the safety of the sandy bottom make Baleal an internationally recognised hub for beginner surfers. It offers a highly consistent, low-consequence training ground where practitioners can safely learn wave selection, positioning, and fundamental riding techniques in nearly all weather conditions year-round.
Working in Baleal this season?
Create a free profile and let employers in Baleal find you.
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 Baleal. 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 Baleal?
Check our timing score heatmap above for a week-by-week breakdown combining surf conditions with crowd pressure.