Praia do Guincho
Portugal · Atlantic Europe
Right now
OvercastWind and swell direction
Swell: 1.2m NNW
Wind: 9 km/h NW (cross-onshore)
Beach faces: W
Cross-onshore wind. Wave faces are getting chopped up, conditions are average.
Swell is coming in at an oblique angle, some refraction expected.
Today hour by hour
Updated 10:14Expected 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
1.1m swell at 6s on a short period. Moderate winds. Water temperature 16°C.
AI-generated summary for Praia do Guincho. Always check local reports before heading out.
Forecast accuracy at Praia do Guincho
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 2pm (score: 22). 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 Praia do Guincho.
What's driving it
Recent form
Last 3 days of logged conditions.
About Praia do Guincho
Praia do Guincho is a wildly exposed, notoriously windy beach break situated near Cascais on the central Portuguese coastline. The seafloor relies entirely on mobile silica sandbanks, which are strongly influenced by the relentless, howling northerly winds that define the local microclimate. Operating optimally on a westerly Atlantic groundswell paired with an easterly offshore wind (a rare occurrence), the breaks offer structured, A-frame peaks providing both left and right-hand rides. While hollow sections exist, the waves frequently offer steep, highly punchy walls suitable for high-performance carving. This balance of power and extreme environmental exposure renders Guincho ideal for intermediate to advanced surfers. The sandy bottom is forgiving, but the incredibly fierce littoral rip currents, the blinding wind, and the shifting, heavy peaks require elite ocean awareness and disciplined paddle fitness. It serves as an immensely demanding, high-energy training ground for progressive surfing.
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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 Praia do Guincho. 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 Praia do Guincho?
Check our timing score heatmap above for a week-by-week breakdown combining surf conditions with crowd pressure.