Rule
Dramatic Seascapes
Olhão - Dramatic Seascapes - Algarve, Portugal
Olhão, Faro, Portugal
Dramatic coastal photography conditions - powerful waves combined with atmospheric drama and good visibility for seascape shots.
Currently
Real-time conditionsWave Height1.7m
Swell Height1.0m
Wind Speed6.8m/s (moderate winds)
Cloud Cover83%
Upcoming Opportunities
When all conditions match, PhotoWeather marks an opportunity window.
Times shown in Europe/Lisbon
Next opportunity
Powerful Seascape at Sunset
Olhão
Sat, May 23 · 20:00–21:00 · 1h window
Medium confidence
44%
🌊Coastal Drama Score77.2%
Wave Height: 3.5m
Swell Height: 1.0m
Wind Speed: 2.1m/s (calm conditions)
Cloud Cover: 60%
What this forecast looks for
Plain-language explanation from the ruleThe 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.
Create your own Dramatic Seascapes alerts
Get notified when these conditions match at your own locations.
72-hour requirements breakdown
What passed or failed, hour by hour0matching 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% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, May 17 | |||||
| 15:00 | 7.5% | 0.4m | 24135m | 9.3m/s | 0% |
| 16:00 | 7.5% | 0.37m | 24135m | 9.2m/s | 0% |
| 17:00 | 12% | 0.38m | 24134m | 9.3m/s | 0% |
| 18:00 | 10% | 0.39m | 24134m | 9.5m/s | 0% |
| 19:00 | 22% | 1.2m | 24134m | 11m/s | 0% |
| 20:00 | 30% | 1.2m | 24134m | 13m/s | 0% |
| 21:00 | 26% | 1.2m | 24135m | 12m/s | 0% |
| 22:00 | 8.8% | 1.2m | 24134m | 11m/s | 0% |
| 23:00 | 8.8% | 1.2m | 24135m | 11m/s | 0% |
| Mon, May 18 | |||||
| 24:00 | 7.9% | 1.2m | 24135m | 9.6m/s | 0% |
| 01:00 | 18% | 2.4m | 24134m | 8.7m/s | 0% |
| 02:00 | 18% | 2.3m | 24134m | 7.2m/s | 0% |
| 03:00 | 15% | 2.3m | 24135m | 6.9m/s | 0% |
| 04:00 | 13% | 2.3m | 24134m | 5.5m/s | 0% |
| 05:00 | 17% | 2.2m | 24135m | 4m/s | 0% |
| 06:00 | 37% | 2m | 24134m | 3.2m/s | 0% |
| 07:00 | 38% | 2m | 24135m | 2.9m/s | 0% |
| 08:00 | 31% | 1.9m | 24135m | 3.5m/s | 0% |
| 09:00 | 43% | 1.8m | 24135m | 2.5m/s | 0% |
| 10:00 | 30% | 1.8m | 24135m | 1.1m/s | 0% |
| 11:00 | 22% | 1.8m | 24134m | 2.1m/s | 0% |
| 12:00 | 21% | 1.7m | 24135m | 3.7m/s | 0% |
| 13:00 | 19% | 1.7m | 24134m | 4.9m/s | 0% |
| 14:00 | 20% | 1.7m | 24134m | 5.8m/s | 0% |
| 15:00 | 20% | 1.7m | 24134m | 6.2m/s | 0% |
| 16:00 | 26% | 1.6m | 24134m | 7m/s | 0% |
| 17:00 | 27% | 1.6m | 24134m | 7.6m/s | 0% |
| 18:00 | 27% | 1.6m | 24134m | 8m/s | 0% |
| 19:00 | 24% | 1.6m | 24135m | 7.4m/s | 0% |
| 20:00 | 40% | 1.5m | 24135m | 5.7m/s | 0% |
| 21:00 | 32% | 1.5m | 24135m | 10m/s | 0% |
| 22:00 | 12% | 1.5m | 24135m | 8.6m/s | 0% |
| 23:00 | 12% | 1.5m | 24134m | 8.7m/s | 0% |
| Tue, May 19 | |||||
| 24:00 | 12% | 1.5m | 24134m | 9m/s | 0% |
| 01:00 | 12% | 1.5m | 24134m | 8.3m/s | 0% |
| 02:00 | 10% | 1.5m | 24134m | 7m/s | 0% |
| 03:00 | 12% | 1.5m | 24134m | 6.4m/s | 0% |
| 04:00 | 7.8% | 1.5m | 24134m | 4.8m/s | 0% |
| 05:00 | 11% | 1.5m | 24134m | 2.8m/s | 0% |
| 06:00 | 33% | 1.5m | 24134m | 2.7m/s | 0% |
| 07:00 | 32% | 1.5m | 24134m | 2.8m/s | 0% |
| 08:00 | 25% | 1.6m | 24134m | 3.3m/s | 0% |
| 09:00 | 29% | 1.6m | 24135m | 3.3m/s | 0% |
| 10:00 | 25% | 1.6m | 24135m | 1.8m/s | 0% |
| 11:00 | 19% | 1.6m | 24135m | 1.8m/s | 0% |
| 12:00 | 19% | 1.7m | 24134m | 2.8m/s | 0% |
| 13:00 | 22% | 1.7m | 24134m | 4.5m/s | 0% |
| 14:00 | 24% | 1.7m | 24134m | 3.8m/s | 0% |
| 15:00 | 16% | 1.7m | 24134m | 3.8m/s | 0% |
| 16:00 | 16% | 1.7m | 24134m | 5.2m/s | 0% |
| 17:00 | 20% | 1.8m | 24135m | 6.8m/s | 0% |
| 18:00 | 23% | 1.8m | 24134m | 6.8m/s | 0% |
| 19:00 | 23% | 1.8m | 24135m | 6.3m/s | 0% |
| 20:00 | 30% | 1.8m | 24134m | 6.4m/s | 0% |
| 21:00 | 30% | 1.8m | 24134m | 6.1m/s | 0% |
| 22:00 | 10% | 1.8m | 24135m | 3.3m/s | 0% |
| 23:00 | 12% | 1.8m | 24135m | 2.7m/s | 0% |
| Wed, May 20 | |||||
| 24:00 | 10% | 1.7m | 24134m | 2.9m/s | 0% |
| 01:00 | 12% | 1.7m | 24134m | 3.9m/s | 0% |
| 02:00 | 12% | 1.7m | 24135m | 2.6m/s | 0% |
| 03:00 | 10% | 1.6m | 24135m | 3.2m/s | 0% |
| 04:00 | 10% | 1.6m | 24135m | 3.3m/s | 0% |
| 05:00 | 10% | 1.6m | 24135m | 4.2m/s | 0% |
| 06:00 | 30% | 1.6m | 24135m | 5.5m/s | 0% |
| 07:00 | 31% | 1.5m | 24134m | 6.2m/s | 0% |
| 08:00 | 25% | 1.5m | 24134m | 6.6m/s | 0% |
| 09:00 | 24% | 1.4m | 24134m | 6.1m/s | 0% |
| 10:00 | 18% | 1.4m | 24135m | 5.4m/s | 0% |
| 11:00 | 10% | 1.4m | 24135m | 5.1m/s | 0% |
| 12:00 | 10% | 1.4m | 24135m | 5m/s | 0% |
| 13:00 | 10% | 1.4m | 24134m | 4.1m/s | 0% |
| 14:00 | 10% | 1.3m | 24135m | 3.4m/s | 0% |
| 15:00 | 10% | 1.3m | 24135m | 3.7m/s | 0% |
| 16:00 | 10% | 1.3m | 24134m | 3.6m/s | 0% |
| 17:00 | 12% | 1.3m | 24135m | 3.2m/s | 0% |
| 18:00 | 15% | 1.2m | 24135m | 2.3m/s | 0% |
| 19:00 | 15% | 1.2m | 24134m | 1.1m/s | 0% |
| 20:00 | 18% | 1.2m | 24134m | 2.7m/s | 0% |
| 21:00 | 17% | 1.2m | 24135m | 4.3m/s | 0% |
| 22:00 | 6.6% | 1.1m | 24135m | 5.9m/s | 0% |
| 23:00 | 6.6% | 1.1m | 24135m | 6.7m/s | 0% |
| Thu, May 21 | |||||
| 24:00 | 6.3% | 1.1m | 24135m | 7.4m/s | 0% |
| 01:00 | 6.3% | 1.1m | 24135m | 8.1m/s | 0% |
| 02:00 | 6.3% | 1m | 24135m | 10m/s | 0% |
| 03:00 | 5.9% | 1m | 24135m | 12m/s | 0% |
| 04:00 | 6.3% | 1m | 24135m | 14m/s | 0% |
| 05:00 | 7.1% | 1m | 24135m | 13m/s | 0% |
| 06:00 | 19% | 1m | 24135m | 13m/s | 0% |
| 07:00 | 20% | 1m | 24135m | 13m/s | 0% |
| 08:00 | 18% | 1m | 24135m | 12m/s | 0% |
| 09:00 | 20% | 1m | 24135m | 12m/s | 0% |
| 10:00 | 19% | 1m | 24135m | 11m/s | 0% |
| 11:00 | 16% | 1.1m | 24135m | 11m/s | 0% |
| 12:00 | 16% | 1.1m | 24135m | 11m/s | 0% |
| 13:00 | 16% | 1.1m | 24135m | 11m/s | 0% |
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 scoreThis 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, May 18
Sunrise 06:21
Sunset 20:34 | ||||||||||||
| 15:00 | 83% | 0% | 5% | 0.97m | 108° | 0.03 | 63° | 83% | 222° | 6.8m/s | 1.2m | 7.8s |
| 16:00 | 69% | 0% | 0% | 0.98m | 109° | 0.03 | 53° | 69% | 231° | 7.2m/s | 1.1m | 7.8s |
| 17:00 | 72% | 0% | 5% | 0.97m | 111° | 0.03 | 41° | 72% | 235° | 7.2m/s | 0.98m | 7.8s |
| 18:00 | 98% | 0% | 0% | 0.97m | 112° | 0.03 | 29° | 98% | 233° | 7.2m/s | 0.9m | 7.7s |
| 19:00 | 100% | 0% | 23% | 0.96m | 114° | 0.03 | 17° | 100% | 230° | 5.9m/s | 0.82m | 7.7s |
| 20:00 | 100% | 0% | 1% | 0.98m | 113° | 0.03 | 5.7° | 100% | 302° | 3.4m/s | 0.76m | 7.6s |
| 21:00 ☾ | 100% | 0% | 2% | 0.99m | 113° | 0.03 | -5.2° | 100% | 348° | 6.8m/s | 0.71m | 7.5s |
| 22:00 ☾ | 100% | 0% | 4% | 1m | 112° | 0.03 | -15° | 100% | 326° | 5.3m/s | 0.65m | 7.4s |
| 23:00 ☾ | 100% | 0% | 55% | 1m | 114° | 0.03 | -23° | 100% | 335° | 4.9m/s | 0.63m | 7.4s |
| Tue, May 19
Sunrise 06:21
Sunset 20:34 | ||||||||||||
| 24:00 ☾ | 100% | 0% | 4% | 1m | 115° | 0.03 | -30° | 100% | 345° | 4.9m/s | 0.61m | 7.4s |
| 01:00 ☾ | 100% | 0% | 1% | 1m | 116° | 0.02 | -33° | 100% | 352° | 4.9m/s | 0.59m | 7.4s |
| 02:00 ☾ | 100% | 0% | 1% | 1m | 117° | 0.02 | -33° | 100% | 358° | 4m/s | 0.57m | 7.4s |
| 03:00 ☾ | 100% | 0% | 0% | 1m | 119° | 0.02 | -29° | 100% | 351° | 3.4m/s | 0.55m | 7.4s |
| 04:00 ☾ | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0.99m | 121° | 0.02 | -23° | 100% | 357° | 2.5m/s | 0.53m | 7.4s |
| 05:00 ☾ | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0.98m | 122° | 0.02 | -14° | 100% | 351° | 1.8m/s | 0.5m | 7.4s |
| 06:00 ☾ | 92% | 0% | 4% | 0.97m | 123° | 0.02 | -4.4° | 92% | 352° | 1.7m/s | 0.46m | 7.4s |
| 07:00 | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0.96m | 123° | 0.01 | 6.6° | 100% | 347° | 1.9m/s | 0.43m | 7.4s |
| 08:00 | 100% | 0% | 88% | 1m | 130° | 0.01 | 18° | 100% | 10° | 1.8m/s | 0.38m | 7.8s |
| 09:00 | 100% | 0% | 100% | 1.1m | 136° | 0.01 | 30° | 100% | 8° | 1.9m/s | 0.32m | 8.2s |
| 10:00 | 99% | 0% | 45% | 1.1m | 143° | 0.01 | 42° | 99% | 9° | 1.1m/s | 0.27m | 8.6s |
| 11:00 | 100% | 0% | 3% | 1.2m | 145° | 0.009 | 54° | 100% | 181° | 0.83m/s | 0.27m | 8.8s |
| 12:00 | 100% | 0% | 0% | 1.3m | 148° | 0.009 | 64° | 100% | 198° | 2.4m/s | 0.28m | 8.9s |
| 13:00 | 72% | 0% | 0% | 1.5m | 150° | 0.009 | 72° | 72% | 212° | 4.6m/s | 0.28m | 9.1s |
| 14:00 | 38% | 0% | 0% | 1.5m | 149° | - | 71° | 38% | 213° | 4.9m/s | 0.27m | 9.1s |
| 15:00 | 4% | 0% | 0% | 1.5m | 149° | - | 64° | 4% | 225° | 4.5m/s | 0.27m | 9.2s |
| 16:00 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 1.5m | 148° | - | 53° | 0% | 237° | 5.4m/s | 0.26m | 9.2s |
| 17:00 | 5% | 0% | 0% | 1.5m | 150° | - | 41° | 5% | 248° | 6.4m/s | 0.24m | 9.3s |
| 18:00 | 5% | 0% | 0% | 1.5m | 151° | - | 29° | 5% | 255° | 5.7m/s | 0.23m | 9.4s |
| 19:00 | 5% | 0% | 0% | 1.5m | 153° | - | 17° | 5% | 255° | 5.3m/s | 0.21m | 9.5s |
| 20:00 | 5% | 0% | 0% | 1.5m | 153° | - | 5.9° | 5% | 258° | 5.2m/s | 0.21m | 9.6s |
| 21:00 ☾ | 5% | 0% | 0% | 1.4m | 153° | - | -5° | 5% | 277° | 5.1m/s | 0.21m | 9.6s |
| 22:00 ☾ | 5% | 0% | 0% | 1.4m | 153° | - | -15° | 5% | 297° | 3.3m/s | 0.21m | 9.7s |
| 23:00 ☾ | 5% | 0% | 0% | 1.4m | 164° | - | -23° | 5% | 317° | 2.7m/s | 0.22m | 10s |
| Wed, May 20
Sunrise 06:20
Sunset 20:35 | ||||||||||||
| 24:00 ☾ | 5% | 0% | 0% | 1.4m | 175° | - | -29° | 5% | 320° | 2.9m/s | 0.22m | 11s |
| 01:00 ☾ | 5% | 0% | 0% | 1.4m | 187° | - | -33° | 5% | 351° | 2.8m/s | 0.22m | 11s |
| 02:00 ☾ | 1% | 0% | 0% | 1.3m | 186° | - | -33° | 1% | 23° | 2.5m/s | 0.28m | 11s |
| 03:00 ☾ | 5% | 0% | 0% | 1.3m | 185° | - | -29° | 5% | 39° | 3.1m/s | 0.35m | 11s |
| 04:00 ☾ | 5% | 0% | 0% | 1.3m | 185° | - | -23° | 5% | 36° | 3.2m/s | 0.41m | 11s |
| 05:00 ☾ | 5% | 0% | 0% | 1.2m | 187° | - | -14° | 5% | 48° | 3.6m/s | 0.38m | 11s |
| 06:00 ☾ | 5% | 0% | 0% | 1.2m | 189° | - | -4.2° | 5% | 55° | 4.4m/s | 0.36m | 11s |
| 07:00 | 5% | 0% | 0% | 1.2m | 191° | - | 6.7° | 5% | 50° | 4.7m/s | 0.33m | 11s |
| 08:00 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 1.1m | 188° | - | 18° | 0% | 49° | 4.6m/s | 0.38m | 11s |
| 09:00 | 2% | 0% | 0% | 1.1m | 186° | - | 30° | 2% | 65° | 5m/s | 0.42m | 11s |
| 10:00 | 1% | 0% | 0% | 1m | 184° | - | 42° | 1% | 79° | 4.6m/s | 0.47m | 10s |
| 11:00 | 1% | 0% | 0% | 0.99m | 188° | - | 54° | 1% | 88° | 4.4m/s | 0.51m | 11s |
| 12:00 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0.96m | 192° | - | 64° | 0% | 97° | 4.4m/s | 0.54m | 11s |
| 13:00 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0.92m | 196° | - | 72° | 0% | 107° | 3.8m/s | 0.58m | 11s |
| 14:00 | 1% | 0% | 0% | 0.89m | 194° | - | 72° | 1% | 109° | 3.1m/s | 0.61m | 11s |
| 15:00 | 5% | 0% | 0% | 0.87m | 192° | - | 64° | 5% | 93° | 2.7m/s | 0.64m | 11s |
| 16:00 | 5% | 0% | 0% | 0.84m | 190° | - | 53° | 5% | 100° | 2.6m/s | 0.67m | 10s |
| 17:00 | 5% | 0% | 0% | 0.82m | 190° | - | 41° | 5% | 112° | 2.4m/s | 0.67m | 10s |
| 18:00 | 4% | 0% | 0% | 0.8m | 190° | - | 29° | 4% | 128° | 1.7m/s | 0.68m | 10s |
| 19:00 | 5% | 0% | 0% | 0.78m | 189° | - | 17° | 5% | 121° | 0.78m/s | 0.68m | 10s |
| 20:00 | 5% | 0% | 0% | 0.76m | 190° | - | 6° | 5% | 102° | 2m/s | 0.65m | 10s |
| 21:00 ☾ | 5% | 0% | 0% | 0.75m | 191° | - | -4.9° | 5% | 83° | 3.2m/s | 0.63m | 10s |
| 22:00 ☾ | 4% | 0% | 0% | 0.73m | 193° | - | -15° | 4% | 64° | 4.4m/s | 0.6m | 10s |
| 23:00 ☾ | 6% | 0% | 0% | 0.72m | 187° | - | -23° | 6% | 66° | 4.8m/s | 0.58m | 9.9s |
| Thu, May 21
Sunrise 06:19
Sunset 20:36 | ||||||||||||
| 24:00 ☾ | 7% | 0% | 0% | 0.71m | 182° | - | -29° | 7% | 69° | 5.3m/s | 0.55m | 9.8s |
| 01:00 ☾ | 8% | 0% | 0% | 0.7m | 176° | - | -32° | 8% | 71° | 5.7m/s | 0.53m | 9.6s |
| 02:00 ☾ | 7% | 0% | 0% | 0.7m | 175° | - | -32° | 7% | 75° | 6.5m/s | 0.51m | 9.6s |
| 03:00 ☾ | 6% | 0% | 0% | 0.71m | 173° | - | -29° | 6% | 78° | 7.2m/s | 0.49m | 9.5s |
| 04:00 ☾ | 5% | 0% | 0% | 0.71m | 171° | - | -22° | 5% | 82° | 7.9m/s | 0.47m | 9.4s |
| 05:00 ☾ | 5% | 0% | 0% | 0.69m | 170° | - | -14° | 5% | 83° | 8m/s | 0.51m | 9.3s |
| 06:00 ☾ | 5% | 0% | 0% | 0.68m | 169° | - | -4.1° | 5% | 85° | 8.1m/s | 0.54m | 9.2s |
| 07:00 | 5% | 0% | 0% | 0.66m | 169° | - | 6.8° | 5% | 86° | 8.3m/s | 0.58m | 9.1s |
| 08:00 | 19% | 0% | 0% | 0.62m | 169° | - | 18° | 19% | 87° | 8m/s | 0.62m | 9.1s |
| 09:00 | 33% | 0% | 0% | 0.59m | 170° | - | 30° | 33% | 89° | 7.8m/s | 0.67m | 9.1s |
| 10:00 | 47% | 0% | 0% | 0.55m | 171° | - | 42° | 47% | 90° | 7.6m/s | 0.71m | 9.1s |
| 11:00 | 46% | 0% | 0% | 0.54m | 177° | - | 54° | 46% | 88° | 7.3m/s | 0.74m | 9.2s |
| 12:00 | 45% | 0% | 0% | 0.53m | 182° | - | 65° | 45% | 85° | 7.1m/s | 0.76m | 9.4s |
| 13:00 | 44% | 0% | 0% | 0.52m | 188° | - | 72° | 44% | 83° | 6.9m/s | 0.79m | 9.5s |
| 14:00 | 32% | 0% | 0% | 0.51m | 184° | - | 72° | 32% | 79° | 6.8m/s | 0.8m | 9.5s |
How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.
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