Peel Watch
Why Surf Forecast Star Ratings Alone Aren't Enough
Surf forecast star ratings rarely say why. Here's how our 0–5 score is calculated per skill level for Portugal's coast, and how accurate it is.
Swell Period Explained: How It Changes Wave Power on Portugal's Beaches
Swell period explained for Portugal's coast: why the seconds between waves change wave power as much as height, with sourced north vs south swell data.
A Surf Terms Glossary for Reading Forecasts on Portugal's Coast
A surf terms glossary for Portugal: swell period explained, plus facing, fetch, tide range, wind and the Portuguese words you'll hear on the sand.
Coastal Fishing Conditions in Portugal: How Swell and Tide Shape Your Day
How tide and swell shape coastal fishing conditions in Portugal, from rock ledges to boat launches, with official sources and the numbers behind them.
Surf Forecast Accuracy: Why We Publish Our Drift
Surf forecast accuracy, measured in public: what forecast drift is, how we track ours on Portugal's coast, and how to use the error bars when you plan.
Surf Skill Level L1 to L5: Picking the Right One for Your Forecast
How to pick your surf skill level, L1 Novice to L5 Expert, using breaking-height bands and hard caps, and why Portugal's coast re-ranks when you switch.
Nazaré Town Beach Surf: Reading the Spot Next to the Big-Wave Headland
Nazaré town beach surf, read properly: SW–NW swell, east wind offshore, mid tide, shelter from the Sítio headland, and rips near the harbor wall.
Portugal Sea Temperature: Why August Is Cold and Which Wetsuit to Wear
Portugal sea temperature runs colder than the air on the west coast in summer. How the nortada works, the north-south gradient, and picking a wetsuit.
Surf Alerts Portugal: Setting Up Emails That Only Fire When Your Spot Lines Up
How our surf alerts Portugal-wide work: one email 1–3 days ahead when your spot hits your level's score, and why longer-range calls are held back.
Portugal Beachcams: Checking the Sandbanks Before You Drive
How to use Portugal beachcams with a surf forecast: what a live MEO Beachcam shows that a model can't, and a quick check to run before you drive.
The Swim Board: How We Rank Calm Beaches Portugal-Wide
How the Peel Watch swim board scores calm beaches Portugal-wide from 0 to 10, how to read it, and why rips, flags and lifeguards aren't in the data.
How to Choose a Surf Spot in Portugal Based on Today's Conditions
How to choose a surf spot in Portugal: match swell direction, wind and tide to each beach's facing, plus the IPMA and buoy data worth checking first.
Onshore vs Offshore Wind Surf: How Wind Shapes Waves in Portugal
Onshore vs offshore wind surf basics for Portugal: why wind direction relative to the beach decides clean vs choppy waves, and how the nortada fits in.
Ocean Swimming Safety on Portugal's Coast: Reading Currents and Swell
Ocean swimming safety Portugal: how to read rip currents, swell height, and tide timing to pick calmer, safer swimming days along the coast.
What Beach Goers Should Check Before Heading to the Coast in Portugal
A simple pre-trip checklist for beach conditions in Portugal — tides, swell, wind, flags and lifeguard hours — before you leave the house.
How We Build a Swell Window: The Method Behind Hand-Authored Forecasts
How surf swell windows work at PeelWatch: measured coastline facings, hand-authored swell arcs, and why human judgment complements raw model data.
Seasonal Surf Patterns on Portugal's Coast: What to Expect Through the Year
How swell size and wind shift across Portugal surf seasons through the year, from winter storm swell at Nazaré to small summer windswell up north.
What Spearfishermen Should Know About Swell and Visibility in Portugal
How swell, upwelling and wind shape underwater visibility and safety for spearfishing along Portugal's coast — with sources you can check.
Reading Ocean Conditions for Snorkeling Along Portugal's Coast
Learn how swell, wind, and tide shape water clarity and safety for snorkeling along Portugal's coast, plus the official sources worth checking first.
A Beginner's Guide to Surfing Portugal's West Coast
What to check before you paddle out on Portugal's west coast: swell, wind, tide, and the cold water that catches beginners out.