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Rule Dramatic Seascapes

Albufeira - Dramatic Seascapes - Algarve, Portugal

Albufeira, Faro, Portugal

Dramatic coastal photography conditions - powerful waves combined with atmospheric drama and good visibility for seascape shots.

No opportunities right now
Here’s what usually blocks matches

No Dramatic Seascapes opportunities in the next 14 days

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Rule requirements (key thresholds)
Coastal Drama Score · ≥ 75.0% Significant Wave Height · ≥ 1.5m Visibility · ≥ 5000.0m Wind Gusts · ≤ 22.0m/s

Tip: Scroll down to the 72-hour table to see exactly which condition fails hour by hour.

Most common blockers (next 72 hours)
Coastal Drama Score 100% failing
Significant Wave Height 100% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions
Wave Height0.5m
Swell Height0.4m
Wind Speed6.2m/s (moderate winds)
Cloud Cover8%

Upcoming Opportunities

When all conditions match, PhotoWeather marks an opportunity window.

Times shown in Europe/Lisbon

No opportunities in the next 10 days

See the blocker timeline below to understand which conditions are preventing matches.

What this forecast looks for

Plain-language explanation from the rule

The Algarve coastline combines powerful Atlantic wave action with soft limestone geology, creating one of Europe's most dramatic coastal landscapes. Centuries of erosion have carved spectacular sea caves, towering stacks, and natural arches that demand careful timing for optimal conditions.

Benagil's famous sea cave—with its collapsed roof creating a natural skylight—becomes most dramatic when Atlantic swells surge through the entrance, creating dynamic foreground motion. Ponta da Piedade near Lagos features a maze of golden limestone pillars, sea arches, and hidden grottos best captured during stormy conditions when waves crash against the formations.

What makes Algarve coastal drama exceptional:

  • Benagil Cathedral Cave - Iconic dome skylight with beach interior, best photographed by kayak or paddleboard
  • Ponta da Piedade stacks - Dozens of formations creating intricate composition opportunities
  • Sagres fortress cliffs - Europe's southwestern corner where Atlantic meets Mediterranean influence
  • Erosion patterns - Honeycomb weathering and tafoni creating unique cliff textures

Winter months (November-February) bring the most powerful Atlantic storms and dramatic wave action. Sunrise often provides calmer conditions for sea cave access, while afternoon westerly winds create more dramatic spray and wave patterns. Always respect safety—these cliffs are actively eroding.

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72-hour requirements breakdown

What passed or failed, hour by hour
0matching hours in the next 95 hours
AND logic: all conditions required
Meets requirement
Misses requirement
Time
Europe/Lisbon
Coastal Drama Score
≥ 75.0%
Significant Wave Height
≥ 1.5m
Visibility
≥ 5000.0m
Wind Gusts
≤ 22.0m/s
Precipitation Chance
≤ 30.0%
Mon, Apr 13
20:0020%0.46m24135m8.4m/s0%
21:0018%0.46m24134m8.4m/s0%
22:006.8%0.45m24135m8m/s0%
23:006.3%0.47m24135m7.5m/s0%
Tue, Apr 14
24:005.4%0.05m24134m7.2m/s0%
01:008%0.61m24135m6.1m/s0%
02:007.6%0.59m24135m5m/s0%
03:002.8%0.06m24135m4.8m/s0%
04:002.3%0.06m24134m5m/s0%
05:002.4%0.07m24135m5.7m/s13%
06:006%0.41m24134m5.8m/s26%
07:0027%0.4m24135m5.8m/s39%
08:007.9%0.04m24135m5.8m/s39%
09:006.3%0.06m24134m5.4m/s38%
10:0015%0.37m24135m5.2m/s38%
11:0015%0.37m24134m3.6m/s38%
12:0013%0.36m24134m3.4m/s39%
13:006.5%0.08m24135m4.3m/s39%
14:005.9%0.08m24135m6.3m/s26%
15:005.9%0.08m24134m6.7m/s13%
16:009.9%0.08m24134m5m/s0%
17:009.9%0.07m24134m5.1m/s0%
18:009.3%0.07m24134m6.5m/s0%
19:0027%0.51m24135m9.5m/s0%
20:0022%0.54m24135m9.4m/s0%
21:0019%0.56m24134m9.2m/s0%
22:007.5%0.59m24134m11m/s0%
23:007.9%0.63m24134m11m/s0%
Wed, Apr 15
24:008.3%0.67m24135m11m/s0%
01:008.3%0.71m24135m11m/s0%
02:008.3%0.72m24134m11m/s0%
03:008.3%0.74m24134m11m/s0%
04:008.9%0.75m24134m11m/s0%
05:008.3%0.76m24134m10m/s0%
06:0024%0.77m24134m11m/s0%
07:0034%0.78m24134m11m/s0%
08:0025%0.79m24135m11m/s0%
09:0026%0.79m24135m9m/s0%
10:0016%0.8m24135m6.6m/s0%
11:0016%0.8m24135m3.8m/s0%
12:0013%0.8m24134m2.6m/s0%
13:0011%0.8m24134m2.8m/s0%
14:0011%0.81m24134m4.2m/s0%
15:0011%0.82m24134m5.6m/s0%
16:0013%0.83m24135m6.2m/s0%
17:0013%0.83m24134m6m/s0%
18:0015%0.84m24134m4.9m/s0%
19:0023%0.84m24134m4.9m/s0%
20:0025%0.84m24135m6.3m/s0%
21:0023%0.83m24134m9.8m/s0%
22:0010%0.83m24135m11m/s0%
23:007.9%0.85m24135m11m/s0%
Thu, Apr 16
24:0010%0.86m24135m12m/s0%
01:007.9%0.88m24135m11m/s0%
02:009.2%0.88m24134m10m/s0%
03:009.2%0.88m24134m10m/s0%
04:006.2%0.88m24135m9.1m/s0%
05:006.8%0.86m24135m8.3m/s0%
06:0027%0.85m24135m8m/s0%
07:0021%0.83m24135m6.6m/s0%
08:0017%0.81m24135m4.6m/s0%
09:0020%0.78m24134m2.6m/s0%
10:0012%0.76m24134m1.6m/s0%
11:0013%0.74m24134m2.1m/s0%
12:0010%0.72m24134m2.6m/s0%
13:008.9%0.7m24135m2.2m/s0%
14:008.9%0.68m24134m1.5m/s0%
15:008.9%0.67m24134m1.3m/s0%
16:0011%0.65m24134m1.5m/s0%
17:0013%0.65m24134m1.8m/s0%
18:0015%0.64m24135m2m/s0%
19:0018%0.64m24134m2.1m/s0%
20:0020%0.67m24135m2.1m/s0%
21:0017%0.7m24134m1.9m/s0%
22:002.8%0.73m24135m2.1m/s0%
23:002.8%0.78m24135m2.7m/s0%
Fri, Apr 17
24:002.8%0.82m24134m3.4m/s0%
01:002.8%0.87m24135m3.7m/s0%
02:003.2%0.87m24135m3.7m/s0%
03:004.1%0.88m24135m3.7m/s0%
04:004.6%0.88m24135m3.7m/s0%
05:004.1%0.85m24135m3.7m/s0%
06:008.1%0.81m24135m3.6m/s0%
07:008%0.78m24135m3.6m/s0%
08:007.4%0.71m24135m3.2m/s0%
09:006.6%0.65m24135m2.8m/s0%
10:009.6%0.58m24135m2.4m/s0%
11:009.5%0.58m24135m2.3m/s0%
12:009.2%0.57m24135m2.2m/s0%
13:006.3%0.57m24135m2.1m/s0%
14:006.3%0.59m24135m2.5m/s0%
15:006.2%0.62m24135m2.9m/s0%
16:007.5%0.64m24135m3.3m/s0%
17:005.5%0.68m24135m3.4m/s0%
18:005.6%0.71m24135m3.5m/s0%
How to read: colored cells show whether each predicate requirement is met; highlighted rows mean the full rule matched (an opportunity).

What does Coastal Drama Score mean?

Inputs that drive the score

This derived score summarizes multiple raw weather signals. The table below shows the supporting inputs hour by hour, so you can see what's pushing the score up or down.

Time
Europe/Lisbon
High Clouds
%
Low Clouds
%
Mid-Level Clouds
%
Primary Swell Height
m
Primary Wave Direction
°
Sea Salt AOD (550nm)
Solar Elevation
°
Total Cloud Coverage
%
Wind Direction
°
Wind Speed
m/s
Wind Wave Height
m
Wind Wave Period
s
Tue, Apr 14 Sunrise 07:00 Sunset 20:06
20:00
5% 7% 0% 0.42m 184° 0.04 0.93° 8% 331° 6.2m/s 0.09m 15s
21:00
5% 0% 0% 0.44m 184° 0.03 -11° 5% 332° 5.5m/s 0.12m 15s
22:00
5% 0% 0% 0.46m 184° 0.03 -22° 5% 341° 6.4m/s 0.14m 14s
23:00
5% 0% 0% 0.49m 184° 0.03 -31° 5% 341° 6.4m/s 0.17m 14s
Wed, Apr 15 Sunrise 07:00 Sunset 20:06
24:00
5% 0% 0% 0.53m 184° 0.02 -38° 5% 342° 6.2m/s 0.2m 14s
01:00
5% 0% 0% 0.56m 184° 0.02 -43° 5% 350° 6m/s 0.23m 14s
02:00
3% 0% 0% 0.57m 184° 0.02 -43° 3% 353° 6.4m/s 0.22m 13s
03:00
3% 0% 0% 0.58m 184° 0.03 -39° 3% 354° 6.7m/s 0.22m 13s
04:00
12% 0% 0% 0.59m 184° 0.03 -32° 12% 359° 6.2m/s 0.21m 13s
05:00
99% 0% 0% 0.6m 184° 0.03 -23° 99% 356° 5.9m/s 0.22m 13s
06:00
98% 0% 0% 0.61m 184° 0.03 -12° 98% 350° 6.3m/s 0.22m 13s
07:00
61% 0% 0% 0.62m 184° 0.03 -0.06° 61% 354° 6.4m/s 0.23m 13s
08:00
98% 0% 0% 0.63m 184° 0.03 11° 98% 357° 6.4m/s 0.22m 12s
09:00
20% 0% 0% 0.64m 184° 0.02 23° 20% 359° 6m/s 0.22m 12s
10:00
5% 0% 0% 0.65m 184° 0.02 35° 5% 5m/s 0.21m 12s
11:00
5% 0% 0% 0.65m 184° 0.02 46° 5% 359° 3.3m/s 0.21m 12s
12:00
5% 0% 0% 0.64m 184° 0.02 56° 5% 339° 2.3m/s 0.2m 12s
13:00
1% 0% 0% 0.64m 184° 0.02 62° 1% 284° 2.2m/s 0.2m 12s
14:00
0% 0% 0% 0.65m 181° 0.02 62° 0% 256° 3.7m/s 0.2m 12s
15:00
0% 0% 0% 0.66m 179° 0.01 56° 0% 255° 5.2m/s 0.19m 11s
16:00
0% 0% 0% 0.67m 176° 0.01 47° 0% 264° 5.3m/s 0.19m 11s
17:00
5% 0% 0% 0.66m 175° 0.02 36° 5% 270° 4.9m/s 0.18m 11s
18:00
5% 0% 0% 0.64m 174° 0.02 25° 5% 287° 3.6m/s 0.17m 11s
19:00
5% 0% 0% 0.63m 173° 0.02 13° 5% 325° 3.6m/s 0.16m 11s
20:00
8% 0% 0% 0.62m 172° 0.01 1.1° 8% 349° 4.9m/s 0.15m 11s
21:00
9% 0% 0% 0.62m 170° 0.01 -11° 9% 349° 6.3m/s 0.14m 11s
22:00
21% 0% 0% 0.61m 169° 0.01 -21° 21% 354° 6.5m/s 0.13m 11s
23:00
7% 0% 0% 0.62m 162° 0.01 -31° 7% 355° 6.7m/s 0.12m 11s
Thu, Apr 16 Sunrise 06:59 Sunset 20:07
24:00
27% 0% 0% 0.64m 155° 0.01 -38° 27% 357° 6.9m/s 0.1m 11s
01:00
5% 0% 0% 0.65m 148° 0.01 -42° 5% 358° 6.7m/s 0.09m 11s
02:00
53% 0% 0% 0.67m 145° - -42° 53% 357° 6.4m/s 0.08m 11s
03:00
38% 0% 0% 0.7m 143° - -39° 38% 358° 6.3m/s 0.06m 11s
04:00
5% 0% 0% 0.72m 140° - -32° 5% 358° 6.2m/s 0.05m 11s
05:00
12% 0% 0% 0.71m 139° - -22° 12% 358° 5.8m/s 0.06m 10s
06:00
36% 0% 0% 0.7m 139° - -12° 36% 359° 5.9m/s 0.06m 10s
07:00
15% 0% 0% 0.69m 138° - 0.19° 15% 5m/s 0.07m 10s
08:00
14% 0% 0% 0.69m 134° - 12° 14% 18° 3.6m/s 0.08m 10s
09:00
31% 0% 0% 0.68m 130° - 23° 31% 31° 2.3m/s 0.08m 10s
10:00
84% 0% 0% 0.68m 126° - 35° 84% 67° 1.3m/s 0.09m 9.9s
11:00
77% 0% 0% 0.66m 126° - 46° 77% 140° 1.9m/s 0.08m 9.8s
12:00
84% 0% 0% 0.65m 126° - 56° 84% 164° 2.7m/s 0.08m 9.8s
13:00
100% 0% 2% 0.63m 126° - 62° 100% 171° 2.3m/s 0.07m 9.7s
14:00
100% 0% 6% 0.62m 125° - 62° 100% 183° 1.7m/s 0.07m 9.7s
15:00
100% 0% 76% 0.6m 124° - 57° 100% 211° 1.5m/s 0.06m 9.6s
16:00
100% 0% 61% 0.59m 123° - 47° 100% 233° 1.8m/s 0.06m 9.6s
17:00
100% 0% 43% 0.58m 122° - 36° 100% 249° 1.9m/s 0.11m 9.5s
18:00
100% 0% 5% 0.57m 121° - 25° 100% 251° 2m/s 0.16m 9.5s
19:00
100% 0% 13% 0.56m 120° - 13° 100% 256° 1.9m/s 0.21m 9.5s
20:00
100% 0% 5% 0.49m 119° - 1.2° 100% 283° 2m/s 0.32m 9.4s
21:00
100% 0% 5% 0.43m 118° - -11° 100% 324° 1.9m/s 0.44m 9.4s
22:00
100% 0% 5% 0.36m 118° - -21° 100% 2.1m/s 0.55m 9.3s
23:00
100% 0% 5% 0.32m 117° - -31° 100% 17° 2.7m/s 0.65m 9.3s
Fri, Apr 17 Sunrise 06:57 Sunset 20:08
24:00
99% 0% 5% 0.29m 116° - -38° 99% 22° 3.5m/s 0.74m 9.2s
01:00
100% 0% 5% 0.25m 115° - -42° 100% 27° 3.7m/s 0.84m 9.2s
02:00
81% 0% 3% 0.25m 116° - -42° 81% 37° 3.5m/s 0.84m 9.1s
03:00
62% 0% 2% 0.26m 117° - -38° 62% 47° 3.4m/s 0.84m 9.1s
04:00
43% 0% 0% 0.26m 117° - -31° 43% 57° 3.3m/s 0.84m 9s
05:00
62% 0% 0% 0.27m 119° - -22° 62% 84° 3.3m/s 0.79m 9s
06:00
81% 0% 0% 0.29m 121° - -11° 81% 111° 3.2m/s 0.74m 9.1s
07:00
100% 0% 0% 0.3m 122° - 0.41° 100% 138° 3.1m/s 0.69m 9.1s
08:00
100% 0% 0% 0.34m 125° - 12° 100% 148° 2.8m/s 0.51m 9.1s
09:00
100% 0% 0% 0.37m 128° - 24° 100% 158° 2.5m/s 0.32m 9.1s
10:00
100% 0% 0% 0.41m 130° - 36° 100% 168° 2.1m/s 0.14m 9.1s
11:00
100% 0% 5% 0.38m 135° - 47° 100% 220° 2.1m/s 0.18m 9.1s
12:00
99% 0% 11% 0.36m 139° - 56° 99% 273° 2.1m/s 0.21m 9.2s
13:00
99% 0% 16% 0.33m 144° - 63° 99% 326° 2.1m/s 0.25m 9.2s
14:00
99% 0% 44% 0.33m 145° - 63° 99% 328° 2.5m/s 0.27m 9.2s
15:00
100% 0% 72% 0.32m 146° - 57° 100% 330° 2.9m/s 0.3m 9.2s
16:00
100% 0% 100% 0.32m 146° - 48° 100% 333° 3.3m/s 0.32m 9.2s
17:00
100% 0% 100% 0.34m 147° - 37° 100% 231° 3.3m/s 0.36m 9.2s
18:00
100% 0% 100% 0.36m 147° - 25° 100% 129° 3.4m/s 0.41m 9.2s
19:00
100% 0% 100% 0.38m 148° - 13° 100% 28° 3.4m/s 0.45m 9.2s
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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