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

Sintra - 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%

Sintra, Lisbon, 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

Get notified

Free alerts · takes 30 seconds

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 86% failing

Currently

Real-time conditions

Coastal Drama Score

10%

Wave Height0.9m

Swell Height0.1m

Wind Speed4.8m/s (calm conditions)

Cloud Cover5%

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.

Create your own Dramatic Seascapes alerts

Get notified when these conditions match at your own locations.

Get this template

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%
Fri, Apr 17
20:00	-	0.37m	24135m	11m/s	0%
21:00	-	0.53m	24135m	13m/s	0%
22:00	5.5%	0.68m	24134m	14m/s	0%
23:00	4.4%	0.71m	24134m	13m/s	0%
Sat, Apr 18
24:00	4.1%	0.86m	24134m	11m/s	0%
01:00	3.5%	0.45m	24134m	8.7m/s	0%
02:00	3%	0.4m	24135m	6.5m/s	0%
03:00	3%	0.3m	24134m	5.6m/s	0%
04:00	3.4%	0.26m	24135m	4.9m/s	0%
05:00	4.3%	0.25m	24135m	6.1m/s	0%
06:00	9.5%	0.75m	24134m	6.9m/s	0%
07:00	-	0.88m	24135m	6.1m/s	0%
08:00	8.8%	0.88m	24134m	5.9m/s	0%
09:00	8.2%	0.75m	24134m	4.5m/s	0%
10:00	6.2%	0.75m	24135m	3.7m/s	0%
11:00	-	0.89m	24134m	3.4m/s	0%
12:00	-	0.88m	24135m	2.2m/s	0%
13:00	5.1%	0.78m	24134m	1.3m/s	0%
14:00	5.1%	0.78m	24134m	1.4m/s	0%
15:00	5.1%	0.77m	24134m	0.81m/s	0%
16:00	6.2%	0.77m	20667m	1.4m/s	0%
17:00	5.5%	0.75m	18030m	3.5m/s	0%
18:00	6.4%	0.72m	18058m	4.9m/s	0%
19:00	8.8%	0.98m	24134m	5.5m/s	0%
20:00	9.6%	0.88m	24135m	5.6m/s	0%
21:00	8.5%	0.78m	24134m	5.2m/s	0%
22:00	2.9%	0.68m	24135m	4.8m/s	0%
23:00	2.9%	0.63m	24135m	3.8m/s	0%
Sun, Apr 19
24:00	4.7%	0.58m	24134m	3.8m/s	0%
01:00	3.3%	0.53m	24135m	3m/s	0%
02:00	3.3%	0.53m	24135m	2.3m/s	0%
03:00	5.3%	0.53m	24134m	1.6m/s	0%
04:00	3.3%	0.53m	24134m	1.2m/s	0%
05:00	4.9%	0.48m	24135m	1m/s	0%
06:00	8.9%	0.42m	24134m	0.9m/s	0%
07:00	14%	0.37m	24135m	1.1m/s	0%
08:00	16%	0.32m	24135m	1.6m/s	0%
09:00	14%	0.27m	24135m	2.3m/s	0%
10:00	8.4%	0.22m	24134m	2.5m/s	0%
11:00	7.8%	0.33m	24134m	1.8m/s	0%
12:00	4.7%	0.43m	24135m	1.5m/s	0%
13:00	5.8%	0.54m	24135m	1.3m/s	0%
14:00	6.6%	0.54m	24135m	0.9m/s	0%
15:00	6.6%	0.53m	24134m	1.2m/s	0%
16:00	8%	0.53m	24134m	2.1m/s	0%
17:00	7.5%	0.45m	24135m	2m/s	0%
18:00	10%	0.38m	24134m	2.6m/s	0%
19:00	12%	0.3m	24135m	3.2m/s	0%
20:00	19%	0.25m	24134m	3.7m/s	0%
21:00	15%	0.2m	24135m	4.7m/s	0%
22:00	4%	0.15m	24135m	4.8m/s	0%
23:00	4.4%	0.22m	24134m	5.1m/s	0%
Mon, Apr 20
24:00	4.9%	0.28m	24134m	5.2m/s	0%
01:00	2.7%	0.35m	24135m	5.3m/s	0%
02:00	3.9%	0.4m	24134m	4.2m/s	0%
03:00	2.5%	0.46m	24135m	2.4m/s	0%
04:00	3.7%	0.51m	24135m	1.3m/s	0%
05:00	2.5%	0.46m	24135m	2m/s	0%
06:00	7.1%	0.42m	24134m	3.4m/s	0%
07:00	9.7%	0.37m	24134m	1.8m/s	0%
08:00	7.5%	0.35m	24135m	2m/s	0%
09:00	5.3%	0.33m	24135m	1.9m/s	0%
10:00	17%	0.31m	24134m	1.5m/s	0%
11:00	11%	0.46m	24135m	1.3m/s	0%
12:00	15%	0.61m	24134m	1m/s	0%
13:00	10%	0.76m	24135m	1.2m/s	0%
14:00	5.6%	0.8m	24134m	3.7m/s	0%
15:00	5.6%	0.85m	24135m	3.8m/s	0%
16:00	6.8%	0.89m	24135m	4.7m/s	0%
17:00	16%	1m	24135m	4.3m/s	0%
18:00	18%	1.2m	24135m	5.2m/s	0%
19:00	23%	1.3m	24134m	6.3m/s	0%
20:00	25%	1.4m	24134m	6.1m/s	0%
21:00	33%	1.5m	24134m	6.9m/s	0%
22:00	11%	1.6m	24134m	9.6m/s	0%
23:00	11%	1.8m	24135m	8m/s	0%
Tue, Apr 21
24:00	13%	1.9m	24134m	18m/s	0%
01:00	13%	2m	24135m	20m/s	0%
02:00	12%	1.9m	24135m	16m/s	0%
03:00	13%	1.8m	24135m	11m/s	0%
04:00	9.4%	1.7m	24135m	6.4m/s	0%
05:00	11%	1.6m	24135m	7.9m/s	7.4%
06:00	33%	1.5m	24135m	9.4m/s	15%
07:00	25%	1.4m	24135m	11m/s	22%
08:00	24%	1.3m	24135m	9.9m/s	22%
09:00	18%	1.2m	24135m	9m/s	22%
10:00	14%	1.1m	24135m	8.1m/s	22%
11:00	13%	1.2m	24135m	7.3m/s	22%
12:00	11%	1.2m	24135m	6.5m/s	22%
13:00	11%	1.3m	24135m	5.6m/s	22%
14:00	11%	1.2m	24135m	5.7m/s	15%
15:00	9.7%	1.1m	24135m	5.8m/s	7.4%
16:00	12%	1.1m	24135m	5.9m/s	0%
17:00	12%	1.1m	24135m	5.4m/s	13%
18:00	15%	1.1m	24135m	4.9m/s	26%

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 20:17
20:00	5%	0%	0%	0.07m	356°	0.008	2.7°	5%	4°	4.8m/s	0.88m	4.2s
21:00 ☾	5%	0%	0%	0.08m	356°	0.007	-8.7°	5%	5°	4.7m/s	0.78m	4.1s
22:00 ☾	5%	0%	0%	0.08m	355°	0.006	-19°	5%	8°	4.4m/s	0.68m	4s
23:00 ☾	5%	0%	0%	0.1m	355°	0.006	-28°	5%	14°	3.7m/s	0.63m	3.8s
Sun, Apr 19 Sunrise 06:57 Sunset 20:17
24:00 ☾	53%	0%	0%	0.11m	355°	0.006	-35°	53%	13°	3.8m/s	0.58m	3.6s
01:00 ☾	83%	0%	0%	0.13m	354°	0.006	-39°	83%	18°	3m/s	0.53m	3.4s
02:00 ☾	99%	0%	0%	0.19m	355°	0.006	-40°	99%	32°	2.3m/s	0.53m	3.3s
03:00 ☾	45%	0%	11%	0.26m	356°	0.006	-36°	45%	55°	1.6m/s	0.53m	3.3s
04:00 ☾	5%	0%	3%	0.32m	357°	0.007	-30°	5%	73°	1.1m/s	0.53m	3.2s
05:00 ☾	59%	0%	2%	0.3m	357°	0.007	-21°	59%	60°	0.79m/s	0.48m	3.2s
06:00 ☾	5%	0%	5%	0.29m	358°	0.008	-11°	5%	70°	0.8m/s	0.42m	3.1s
07:00	29%	0%	5%	0.27m	358°	0.009	0.47°	29%	98°	0.96m/s	0.37m	3.1s
08:00	55%	0%	5%	0.25m	357°	0.009	12°	55%	141°	1.5m/s	0.28m	3s
09:00	34%	0%	5%	0.23m	357°	0.009	23°	34%	135°	2.3m/s	0.18m	2.9s
10:00	100%	0%	34%	0.21m	357°	0.01	35°	100%	150°	2.2m/s	0.09m	2.8s
11:00	91%	0%	62%	0.17m	289°	0.01	46°	91%	201°	1.7m/s	0.24m	2.9s
12:00	100%	0%	97%	0.12m	220°	0.01	55°	100%	236°	1.9m/s	0.39m	3s
13:00	69%	0%	100%	0.08m	151°	0.01	61°	100%	243°	1.6m/s	0.54m	3.1s
14:00	53%	0%	100%	0.09m	153°	0.01	62°	100%	267°	1.3m/s	0.54m	3.1s
15:00	99%	0%	100%	0.11m	155°	0.01	57°	100%	279°	1.4m/s	0.53m	3.2s
16:00	100%	0%	100%	0.12m	158°	0.01	48°	100%	287°	2.2m/s	0.53m	3.3s
17:00	100%	0%	95%	0.18m	160°	0.01	37°	100%	305°	2m/s	0.45m	3.1s
18:00	100%	0%	55%	0.24m	162°	0.01	26°	100%	314°	2.5m/s	0.38m	3s
19:00	95%	0%	36%	0.3m	164°	0.02	14°	95%	320°	3m/s	0.3m	2.8s
20:00	51%	0%	8%	0.25m	166°	0.02	2.9°	51%	325°	3.6m/s	0.23m	2.7s
21:00 ☾	64%	0%	0%	0.2m	169°	0.02	-8.5°	64%	328°	4.4m/s	0.15m	2.5s
22:00 ☾	96%	0%	0%	0.15m	171°	0.02	-19°	96%	342°	4.5m/s	0.08m	2.4s
23:00 ☾	72%	0%	0%	0.13m	123°	0.02	-28°	72%	350°	4.6m/s	0.17m	2.4s
Mon, Apr 20 Sunrise 06:55 Sunset 20:18
24:00 ☾	48%	0%	0%	0.1m	76°	0.02	-35°	48%	8°	4.6m/s	0.25m	2.4s
01:00 ☾	5%	0%	0%	0.08m	29°	0.02	-39°	5%	30°	4.7m/s	0.34m	2.4s
02:00 ☾	60%	0%	0%	0.07m	22°	-	-39°	60%	35°	3.8m/s	0.4m	2.7s
03:00 ☾	93%	0%	3%	0.07m	16°	-	-36°	93%	37°	2.4m/s	0.45m	2.9s
04:00 ☾	66%	0%	6%	0.06m	9.7°	-	-30°	66%	32°	1.3m/s	0.51m	3.2s
05:00 ☾	100%	0%	96%	0.14m	8.8°	-	-21°	100%	71°	1.9m/s	0.46m	3.2s
06:00 ☾	100%	0%	17%	0.23m	8°	-	-11°	100%	72°	3.5m/s	0.42m	3.2s
07:00	100%	0%	95%	0.31m	7.1°	-	0.7°	100%	139°	1.8m/s	0.37m	3.2s
08:00	98%	4%	98%	0.27m	60°	-	12°	100%	160°	1.9m/s	0.33m	2.8s
09:00	99%	0%	100%	0.22m	114°	-	23°	100%	127°	1.6m/s	0.29m	2.4s
10:00	38%	0%	10%	0.18m	167°	-	35°	39%	93°	1.4m/s	0.25m	2s
11:00	5%	0%	82%	0.14m	168°	-	46°	82%	100°	0.58m/s	0.42m	2.5s
12:00	20%	0%	86%	0.1m	169°	-	55°	86%	346°	0.6m/s	0.59m	3s
13:00	95%	0%	100%	0.06m	169°	-	62°	100%	290°	1.9m/s	0.76m	3.5s
14:00	100%	0%	83%	0.1m	170°	-	62°	100%	297°	4.6m/s	0.8m	3.6s
15:00	100%	4%	92%	0.13m	171°	-	57°	100%	315°	3.9m/s	0.85m	3.8s
16:00	100%	6%	100%	0.17m	172°	-	48°	100%	308°	4.4m/s	0.89m	4s
17:00	100%	2%	99%	0.29m	173°	-	37°	100%	348°	3.9m/s	1m	4.2s
18:00	100%	0%	100%	0.41m	174°	-	26°	100%	7°	4.7m/s	1.2m	4.5s
19:00	100%	0%	100%	0.53m	174°	-	14°	100%	18°	5.4m/s	1.3m	4.7s
20:00	100%	0%	66%	0.65m	173°	-	3°	100%	18°	5.4m/s	1.4m	4.8s
21:00 ☾	100%	0%	100%	0.77m	172°	-	-8.3°	100%	32°	5.7m/s	1.5m	4.9s
22:00 ☾	100%	0%	100%	0.89m	171°	-	-19°	100%	63°	7.1m/s	1.6m	5s
23:00 ☾	100%	1%	100%	0.88m	171°	-	-28°	100%	109°	6m/s	1.8m	5.2s
Tue, Apr 21 Sunrise 06:54 Sunset 20:18
24:00 ☾	100%	0%	100%	0.86m	171°	-	-35°	100%	100°	11m/s	1.9m	5.4s
01:00 ☾	100%	0%	100%	0.85m	171°	-	-39°	100%	100°	14m/s	2m	5.6s
02:00 ☾	67%	14%	100%	0.83m	172°	-	-39°	100%	121°	11m/s	1.9m	5.6s
03:00 ☾	33%	28%	100%	0.82m	173°	-	-36°	100%	142°	7.9m/s	1.8m	5.5s
04:00 ☾	0%	42%	100%	0.8m	174°	-	-29°	100%	164°	5m/s	1.7m	5.4s
05:00 ☾	1%	28%	91%	0.79m	174°	-	-21°	91%	172°	5.9m/s	1.6m	5.3s
06:00 ☾	2%	14%	82%	0.77m	175°	-	-10°	82%	181°	6.7m/s	1.5m	5.2s
07:00	2%	1%	73%	0.76m	175°	-	0.92°	73%	190°	7.6m/s	1.4m	5.1s
08:00	3%	0%	49%	0.8m	175°	-	12°	50%	196°	7.1m/s	1.3m	4.9s
09:00	3%	0%	25%	0.84m	175°	-	24°	27%	203°	6.6m/s	1.2m	4.8s
10:00	4%	0%	1%	0.88m	175°	-	35°	4%	209°	6.1m/s	1.1m	4.7s
11:00	3%	0%	1%	0.83m	174°	-	46°	3%	215°	5.7m/s	1.2m	4.7s
12:00	1%	0%	0%	0.77m	173°	-	56°	1%	221°	5.2m/s	1.2m	4.7s
13:00	0%	0%	0%	0.72m	172°	-	62°	0%	227°	4.8m/s	1.3m	4.7s
14:00	0%	0%	0%	0.7m	174°	-	63°	0%	216°	4.7m/s	1.2m	4.7s
15:00	1%	0%	0%	0.69m	177°	-	57°	1%	205°	4.7m/s	1.1m	4.6s
16:00	1%	0%	0%	0.67m	179°	-	48°	1%	194°	4.7m/s	1.1m	4.5s
17:00	2%	3%	0%	0.74m	178°	-	38°	3%	200°	4.4m/s	1.1m	4.5s
18:00	4%	5%	0%	0.82m	176°	-	26°	6%	207°	4.1m/s	1.1m	4.5s
19:00	5%	8%	0%	0.89m	175°	-	15°	8%	213°	3.8m/s	1m	4.5s

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

Get Notified of Opportunities

Create your own custom alerts for this location and more.

Create Free Account