How often do conditions match?

No opportunity windows are predicted in the next 10 days. Conditions can change quickly, so check back for updates.

More Dramatic Seascapes in Algarve, Portugal

Rule Dramatic Seascapes

Sagres - Dramatic Seascapes - Algarve, Portugal

Q: What conditions does Dramatic Seascapes look for?

Coastal Drama Score: ≥ 75.0%. Significant Wave Height: ≥ 1.5m. Visibility: ≥ 5000.0m. Wind Gusts: ≤ 22.0m/s. Precipitation Chance: ≤ 30.0%

Sagres, 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

Precipitation Chance 1% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions

Coastal Drama Score

Wave Height0.5m

Swell Height0.3m

Wind Speed6.6m/s (moderate winds)

Cloud Cover90%

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

1matching hours in the next 95 hoursJump to next match

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%
Fri, Apr 17
14:00	23%	1.9m	24135m	3.5m/s	0%
15:00	23%	2m	24134m	4m/s	0%
16:00	32%	2.1m	24135m	4m/s	0%
17:00	44%	2.2m	24135m	4.1m/s	0%
18:00	64%	2.3m	24135m	4.4m/s	0%
19:00	75%	2.1m	24135m	4.4m/s	0%
20:00	11%	0.34m	24135m	4.2m/s	0%
21:00	8.8%	0.35m	24135m	5.4m/s	0%
22:00	3.1%	0.43m	24134m	5.9m/s	0%
23:00	3.1%	0.38m	24134m	5.5m/s	0%
Sat, Apr 18
24:00	3.5%	0.31m	24134m	5.2m/s	0%
01:00	2.9%	0.23m	24134m	4.3m/s	0%
02:00	2.7%	0.26m	24135m	3.1m/s	0%
03:00	3.4%	0.32m	24134m	3.1m/s	0%
04:00	4%	0.35m	24135m	3.1m/s	0%
05:00	3.3%	0.34m	24135m	4.4m/s	0%
06:00	7.4%	0.26m	24134m	5.6m/s	0%
07:00	68%	3.5m	24135m	7.1m/s	0%
08:00	9.9%	0.4m	24134m	6.9m/s	0%
09:00	8.3%	0.44m	24134m	8.6m/s	0%
10:00	11%	0.32m	24135m	9.5m/s	0%
11:00	6%	0.31m	24134m	8.9m/s	0%
12:00	4.9%	0.28m	24135m	8.7m/s	0%
13:00	5.9%	0.43m	24134m	8.7m/s	0%
14:00	5.6%	0.51m	24134m	8.7m/s	0%
15:00	4.5%	0.6m	24135m	8.2m/s	0%
16:00	10%	0.68m	24135m	7.1m/s	0%
17:00	9.1%	0.8m	24135m	6.6m/s	0%
18:00	8.2%	0.91m	24135m	6.1m/s	0%
19:00	28%	1m	24134m	5.2m/s	0%
20:00	19%	1m	24135m	3.2m/s	0%
21:00	17%	1m	24135m	2.9m/s	0%
22:00	5.9%	1m	24134m	3m/s	0%
23:00	7.1%	1.1m	24134m	3.5m/s	0%
Sun, Apr 19
24:00	7.1%	1.2m	24135m	3.4m/s	0%
01:00	6.5%	1.3m	24135m	3.2m/s	0%
02:00	6.5%	1.3m	24135m	3.1m/s	0%
03:00	7.9%	1.3m	24135m	3.2m/s	0%
04:00	6.5%	1.3m	24135m	3.8m/s	0%
05:00	6.5%	1.3m	24135m	4.8m/s	0%
06:00	19%	1.3m	24134m	6m/s	0%
07:00	23%	1.3m	24134m	6.1m/s	0%
08:00	23%	1.3m	24135m	7m/s	0%
09:00	18%	1.3m	24134m	5.6m/s	0%
10:00	15%	1.3m	24134m	5.5m/s	0%
11:00	15%	1.2m	24134m	6.5m/s	0%
12:00	12%	1.2m	24135m	6.6m/s	0%
13:00	12%	1.2m	24134m	6.4m/s	0%
14:00	12%	1.2m	24135m	6.6m/s	0%
15:00	12%	1.1m	24135m	5.8m/s	0%
16:00	16%	1.1m	24134m	4.4m/s	0%
17:00	18%	1.2m	24134m	2.9m/s	0%
18:00	19%	1.2m	24134m	1.5m/s	0%
19:00	21%	1.2m	24134m	1.1m/s	0%
20:00	28%	1.2m	24134m	3.1m/s	0%
21:00	20%	1.2m	24134m	3.8m/s	0%
22:00	7.1%	1.2m	24135m	4.5m/s	0%
23:00	6.1%	1.1m	24134m	6.9m/s	0%
Mon, Apr 20
24:00	6.5%	1.1m	24135m	8.9m/s	0%
01:00	5.7%	1m	24134m	2.6m/s	0%
02:00	2.5%	0.93m	24135m	5.2m/s	0%
03:00	2.3%	0.85m	24135m	6.5m/s	0%
04:00	2.3%	0.77m	24134m	3.6m/s	0%
05:00	2.3%	0.72m	24135m	4.4m/s	0%
06:00	6.7%	0.66m	24134m	4.9m/s	0%
07:00	14%	0.61m	24134m	7.4m/s	0%
08:00	7.7%	0.61m	24134m	7.5m/s	0%
09:00	9.8%	0.6m	24135m	7.9m/s	0%
10:00	9.3%	0.6m	24135m	10m/s	0%
11:00	6%	0.58m	24134m	13m/s	0%
12:00	5.6%	0.56m	24134m	13m/s	0%
13:00	4.1%	0.54m	24135m	11m/s	0%
14:00	4.1%	0.51m	24135m	11m/s	0%
15:00	4.1%	0.49m	24134m	11m/s	0%
16:00	5%	0.46m	24134m	9.8m/s	0%
17:00	4.7%	0.43m	24135m	8.9m/s	0%
18:00	5.6%	0.4m	24135m	7.9m/s	0%
19:00	7%	0.37m	24135m	6.5m/s	0%
20:00	8.8%	0.32m	24135m	9.7m/s	3.3%
21:00	8.9%	0.28m	24135m	13m/s	6.7%
22:00	5.7%	0.23m	24135m	16m/s	10%
23:00	5.4%	0.21m	24135m	14m/s	6.7%
Tue, Apr 21
24:00	5.4%	0.19m	24135m	12m/s	3.3%
01:00	4.5%	0.17m	24135m	10m/s	0%
02:00	5.2%	0.16m	21799m	10m/s	0%
03:00	5.2%	0.15m	19463m	10m/s	0%
04:00	5.2%	0.14m	17127m	9.9m/s	0%
05:00	5.8%	0.13m	19463m	8.7m/s	7.4%
06:00	20%	0.13m	21799m	7.4m/s	15%
07:00	21%	0.12m	24135m	6.2m/s	22%
08:00	22%	0.12m	23778m	5.4m/s	15%
09:00	21%	0.13m	23420m	4.6m/s	7.4%
10:00	17%	0.13m	23063m	3.8m/s	0%
11:00	16%	0.14m	23420m	3.6m/s	17%
12:00	5.9%	0.15m	23778m	3.4m/s	33%

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
Sat, Apr 18 Sunrise 06:57 Sunset 20:12
14:00	90%	0%	0%	0.29m	136°	0.008	63°	90%	111°	6.6m/s	0.38m	4.8s
15:00	100%	0%	1%	0.28m	116°	0.009	58°	100%	108°	6.5m/s	0.47m	4.5s
16:00	52%	0%	2%	0.27m	95°	0.01	48°	52%	107°	5.8m/s	0.57m	4.1s
17:00	28%	0%	2%	0.25m	81°	0.01	37°	28%	104°	5.5m/s	0.71m	4s
18:00	5%	0%	0%	0.23m	67°	0.01	26°	5%	106°	5.3m/s	0.86m	3.9s
19:00	65%	0%	0%	0.21m	53°	0.01	14°	65%	100°	4.5m/s	1m	3.8s
20:00	100%	0%	0%	0.2m	55°	0.01	2°	100%	82°	3.1m/s	0.99m	3.8s
21:00 ☾	100%	0%	27%	0.19m	58°	0.01	-9.7°	100%	63°	2.8m/s	0.99m	3.8s
22:00 ☾	100%	0%	97%	0.18m	60°	0.01	-20°	100%	48°	3m/s	0.98m	3.8s
23:00 ☾	6%	0%	94%	0.18m	59°	0.01	-30°	94%	44°	3.3m/s	1.1m	3.9s
Sun, Apr 19 Sunrise 06:57 Sunset 20:12
24:00 ☾	5%	0%	19%	0.19m	59°	0.01	-37°	19%	43°	3.3m/s	1.1m	4.1s
01:00 ☾	5%	0%	5%	0.19m	58°	0.01	-41°	5%	49°	3.1m/s	1.2m	4.2s
02:00 ☾	7%	0%	5%	0.18m	58°	0.01	-42°	7%	56°	3.1m/s	1.3m	4.2s
03:00 ☾	78%	0%	5%	0.18m	57°	0.01	-38°	78%	63°	3m/s	1.3m	4.3s
04:00 ☾	97%	0%	5%	0.17m	57°	0.01	-31°	97%	68°	3.4m/s	1.3m	4.3s
05:00 ☾	100%	0%	52%	0.17m	56°	0.01	-22°	100%	75°	3.9m/s	1.3m	4.3s
06:00 ☾	100%	0%	97%	0.16m	55°	0.02	-11°	100%	80°	4.3m/s	1.3m	4.3s
07:00	100%	0%	100%	0.16m	55°	0.02	0.38°	100%	93°	4.4m/s	1.3m	4.3s
08:00	100%	0%	12%	0.17m	54°	0.02	12°	100%	109°	4.9m/s	1.3m	4.3s
09:00	100%	0%	5%	0.17m	53°	0.02	24°	100%	105°	4.4m/s	1.3m	4.3s
10:00	100%	0%	1%	0.18m	52°	0.02	36°	100%	93°	4.7m/s	1.2m	4.3s
11:00	100%	0%	0%	0.19m	51°	0.02	47°	100%	109°	5.1m/s	1.2m	4.2s
12:00	100%	0%	1%	0.19m	51°	0.02	57°	100%	115°	5.2m/s	1.2m	4.2s
13:00	100%	0%	5%	0.2m	50°	0.02	63°	100%	114°	5.1m/s	1.1m	4.2s
14:00	100%	0%	10%	0.21m	49°	0.02	64°	100%	114°	5.3m/s	1.1m	4.1s
15:00	100%	0%	5%	0.21m	49°	0.02	58°	100%	121°	4.8m/s	1.1m	4.1s
16:00	88%	0%	5%	0.22m	48°	0.02	49°	88%	124°	3.8m/s	1.1m	4.1s
17:00	80%	0%	5%	0.23m	48°	0.02	37°	80%	124°	2.6m/s	1.1m	4.1s
18:00	12%	0%	1%	0.24m	47°	0.02	26°	12%	112°	1.3m/s	1.1m	4.1s
19:00	8%	0%	0%	0.25m	46°	0.02	14°	8%	298°	0.71m/s	1.1m	4.1s
20:00	76%	0%	4%	0.26m	46°	0.02	2.2°	76%	291°	2.9m/s	1.1m	4.1s
21:00 ☾	100%	0%	5%	0.26m	46°	0.02	-9.5°	100%	328°	3.6m/s	1.1m	4.1s
22:00 ☾	100%	0%	49%	0.27m	46°	0.02	-20°	100%	349°	4.2m/s	1.1m	4.1s
23:00 ☾	100%	0%	100%	0.27m	58°	0.02	-29°	100%	30°	5.3m/s	1.1m	4.5s
Mon, Apr 20 Sunrise 06:56 Sunset 20:13
24:00 ☾	100%	0%	100%	0.26m	71°	0.02	-37°	100%	55°	6.1m/s	1m	4.9s
01:00 ☾	100%	0%	98%	0.26m	83°	0.02	-41°	100%	76°	2m/s	0.97m	5.3s
02:00 ☾	92%	0%	99%	0.25m	83°	-	-41°	99%	110°	3.5m/s	0.89m	5.1s
03:00 ☾	98%	0%	100%	0.25m	82°	-	-38°	100%	101°	4.7m/s	0.81m	4.9s
04:00 ☾	100%	0%	46%	0.24m	82°	-	-31°	100%	98°	3.2m/s	0.73m	4.7s
05:00 ☾	100%	0%	29%	0.24m	83°	-	-22°	100%	95°	3.9m/s	0.67m	4.6s
06:00 ☾	100%	0%	5%	0.23m	85°	-	-11°	100%	101°	4.1m/s	0.62m	4.5s
07:00	58%	0%	5%	0.23m	86°	-	0.59°	58%	95°	5.4m/s	0.56m	4.3s
08:00	5%	0%	10%	0.23m	86°	-	12°	10%	86°	5.1m/s	0.56m	4.3s
09:00	26%	0%	5%	0.22m	86°	-	24°	26%	101°	5.4m/s	0.56m	4.3s
10:00	38%	0%	5%	0.22m	87°	-	36°	38%	109°	7m/s	0.56m	4.2s
11:00	100%	0%	5%	0.21m	87°	-	47°	100%	109°	8.3m/s	0.54m	4.2s
12:00	91%	0%	7%	0.21m	87°	-	57°	91%	107°	8.8m/s	0.51m	4.2s
13:00	100%	0%	7%	0.2m	87°	-	63°	100%	109°	7.7m/s	0.49m	4.1s
14:00	100%	0%	61%	0.19m	87°	-	64°	100%	106°	7.8m/s	0.46m	4s
15:00	100%	0%	100%	0.19m	87°	-	58°	100%	109°	7.5m/s	0.44m	3.9s
16:00	100%	0%	82%	0.18m	87°	-	49°	100%	103°	7m/s	0.41m	3.8s
17:00	76%	0%	95%	0.18m	103°	-	38°	96%	99°	6.3m/s	0.38m	4.2s
18:00	100%	0%	100%	0.17m	119°	-	26°	100%	93°	5.6m/s	0.35m	4.5s
19:00	100%	0%	100%	0.17m	135°	-	14°	100%	79°	4.8m/s	0.32m	4.9s
20:00	100%	0%	96%	0.17m	145°	-	2.3°	100%	91°	6.7m/s	0.27m	7s
21:00 ☾	100%	0%	93%	0.16m	155°	-	-9.3°	100%	103°	8.7m/s	0.21m	9.1s
22:00 ☾	100%	0%	89%	0.16m	165°	-	-20°	100%	114°	11m/s	0.16m	11s
23:00 ☾	100%	0%	93%	0.16m	165°	-	-29°	100%	123°	9.3m/s	0.14m	11s
Tue, Apr 21 Sunrise 06:55 Sunset 20:14
24:00 ☾	100%	0%	96%	0.15m	165°	-	-36°	100%	131°	8m/s	0.11m	11s
01:00 ☾	100%	0%	100%	0.15m	165°	-	-41°	100%	140°	6.8m/s	0.09m	11s
02:00 ☾	100%	8%	100%	0.16m	164°	-	-41°	100%	128°	7.2m/s	0.08m	11s
03:00 ☾	100%	16%	100%	0.17m	164°	-	-37°	100%	115°	7.6m/s	0.06m	11s
04:00 ☾	100%	24%	100%	0.18m	164°	-	-30°	100%	103°	8m/s	0.05m	11s
05:00 ☾	68%	16%	87%	0.17m	164°	-	-21°	87%	130°	7m/s	0.07m	11s
06:00 ☾	37%	8%	74%	0.16m	163°	-	-11°	74%	156°	6m/s	0.08m	10s
07:00	5%	0%	61%	0.15m	163°	-	0.81°	61%	183°	4.9m/s	0.1m	10s
08:00	16%	0%	41%	0.15m	163°	-	12°	53%	195°	4.4m/s	0.09m	10s
09:00	27%	0%	20%	0.14m	163°	-	24°	46%	207°	4m/s	0.08m	10s
10:00	38%	0%	0%	0.14m	163°	-	36°	38%	219°	3.5m/s	0.07m	10s
11:00	59%	0%	2%	0.13m	172°	-	47°	59%	224°	3.3m/s	0.09m	8.1s
12:00	79%	0%	3%	0.11m	180°	-	57°	79%	230°	3.2m/s	0.1m	5.9s
13:00	100%	0%	5%	0.1m	189°	-	64°	100%	235°	3m/s	0.12m	3.7s

How to read: these inputs help produce the derived score; they are not requirements by themselves.

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