Zavial
Vila do Bispo · Algarve, Portugal · Beach break
Local time — · Sunrise 07:14 · Sunset 17:28
Reading the ocean.
SWELLRADAR is requesting a verified marine run for Zavial.
Spot intelligence.
Zavial needs a southerly swell window and can become fast and compact around the rock-framed bay.
Profile source · Visit Portugal national surf guideProfile geometry
Swell axis SSW · 200°
Offshore wind from NNE · Intermediate profile
Wave
Compact right + beach peaks in a south-coast bay
Sand with rock margins
Swell window
SW–S
0.7–2.3 m offshore ranking band
Clean wind
N–NE offshore
Applied to wind scoring
Tide window
Mid tide · rising
Qualitative timing guidance
Field guide
Read the break.
Character · setup · local read
Field guide
Read the break.
Character
01Zavial is defined by compact right + beach peaks in a south-coast bay over sand with rock margins. The shape can change with swell angle, period and the active section, so the live score should always be paired with a visual check from shore.
Best setup
02SW–S swell, n–ne offshore and mid tide · rising form the profile baseline. SWELLRADAR treats 0.7–2.3 m as a working range, not a guarantee of breaking-wave size.
Lineup read
03Choose a peak that matches your experience and reassess it as tide and crowd change. Pay particular attention to rock margins, fast shorebreak, confined lineup. Local signs and advice always take priority.
Know before you paddle
Live conditions and local advice always override this profile.
Optional community layerRecent surfer reportsVoluntary and potentially incomplete. Not used for the forecast or Surf Score.
The break
Beach break
Intermediate. Works best with SW–S swell.
Timing
N–NE offshore
Mid tide · rising. Re-check local observations and the lineup before you paddle out.
Data note
Model data unavailable
SWELLRADAR withholds numerical conditions, scores and surf windows until a quality-checked marine forecast is available.