10-day surf forecast with Strike Scores for Populo, Sao Miguel, Portugal
Praia do Populo is the Azores' most consistent surf spot—a beach break on volcanic black sand that sits in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, catching swells from virtually every direction. Located minutes from the capital Ponta Delgada on São Miguel island, this wave offers year-round potential in one of Europe's most underexplored surf regions. The dramatic volcanic landscape, thermal hot springs for recovery, and uncrowded lineups make the Azores a compelling alternative to Portugal's mainland coast. For surf explorers seeking genuine discovery, Populo is the portal to an Atlantic archipelago secret.
Best day in the forecast: 2026-08-11 with a score of 50/100 (Fair)
Poor conditions overall: Average score 27/100. Look for spots with better forecasts.
Moderate alignment: Swell from 250° is 25° off optimal 225°, workable but not ideal.
Marginal size: 0.8m is 0.8m from ideal 1.6m.
Moderate period: 9s meets minimum 9s but below ideal 13s. Some groundswell energy present.
Onshore/cross-shore: 15 km/h from 225° (SW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 315°-45°.
Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
Poor conditions at Populo. Either swell direction (250°), size (0.8m), or wind (15 km/h from 225°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
0.8m (2.6ft) swell from 250° (WSW) at 9s period
Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)
Poor alignment: Swell from 256° is 31° off optimal 225°, barely within workable range 180°-250°.
Marginal size: 1.3m is 0.3m from ideal 1.6m.
Short period: 8s is below minimum 9s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
Onshore/cross-shore: 19 km/h from 222° (SW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 315°-45°.
Poor conditions at Populo. Either swell direction (256°), size (1.3m), or wind (19 km/h from 222°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.3m (4.3ft) swell from 256° (WSW) at 8s period
Poor alignment: Swell from 263° is 38° off optimal 225°, barely within workable range 180°-250°.
Marginal size: 1.2m is 0.4m from ideal 1.6m.
Moderate period: 10s meets minimum 9s but below ideal 13s. Some groundswell energy present.
Onshore/cross-shore: 15 km/h from 299° (WNW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 315°-45°.
Poor conditions at Populo. Either swell direction (263°), size (1.2m), or wind (15 km/h from 299°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.2m (3.9ft) swell from 263° (W) at 10s period
No alignment: Swell from 311° is outside workable range 180°-250°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
Marginal size: 0.6m is 1.0m from ideal 1.6m.
Light offshore: 7 km/h from 2° (N). Grooming the wave face beautifully.
Poor conditions at Populo. Either swell direction (311°), size (0.6m), or wind (7 km/h from 2°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
0.6m (2.0ft) swell from 311° (NW) at 9s period
Moderate alignment: Swell from 206° is 19° off optimal 225°, workable but not ideal.
Too small: 0.5m is below minimum 0.6m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
Good period: 12s is 92% of ideal 13s. Clean, powerful groundswell.
Onshore/cross-shore: 15 km/h from 198° (SSW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 315°-45°.
Poor conditions at Populo. Either swell direction (206°), size (0.5m), or wind (15 km/h from 198°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
0.5m (1.6ft) swell from 206° (SSW) at 12s period
Poor alignment: Swell from 269° is 44° off optimal 225°, barely within workable range 180°-250°.
Marginal size: 1.7m is 0.1m from ideal 1.6m.
Onshore/cross-shore: 18 km/h from 236° (SW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 315°-45°.
Poor conditions at Populo. Either swell direction (269°), size (1.7m), or wind (18 km/h from 236°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.7m (5.6ft) swell from 269° (W) at 12s period
Poor alignment: Swell from 267° is 42° off optimal 225°, barely within workable range 180°-250°.
Onshore/cross-shore: 8 km/h from 295° (WNW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 315°-45°.
Surfable but not special at Populo. The 1.7m swell from 267° is workable, but conditions aren't ideal. Fine if you're local, but not worth a dedicated trip.
1.7m (5.6ft) swell from 267° (W) at 9s period
Poor alignment: Swell from 272° is 47° off optimal 225°, barely within workable range 180°-250°.
Marginal size: 1.0m is 0.6m from ideal 1.6m.
Onshore/cross-shore: 7 km/h from 172° (S). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 315°-45°.
Poor conditions at Populo. Either swell direction (272°), size (1.0m), or wind (7 km/h from 172°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.0m (3.3ft) swell from 272° (W) at 8s period
Very low confidence (8-10 day forecast, conditions may change)
Poor alignment: Swell from 262° is 37° off optimal 225°, barely within workable range 180°-250°.
Onshore/cross-shore: 6 km/h from 162° (SSE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 315°-45°.
Poor conditions at Populo. Either swell direction (262°), size (0.6m), or wind (6 km/h from 162°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
0.6m (2.0ft) swell from 262° (W) at 10s period
No alignment: Swell from 308° is outside workable range 180°-250°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
Onshore/cross-shore: 6 km/h from 145° (SE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 315°-45°.
Poor conditions at Populo. Either swell direction (308°), size (0.6m), or wind (6 km/h from 145°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
0.6m (2.0ft) swell from 308° (NW) at 9s period
Open-Meteo Weather API (wind/weather data)