What is the fishing index based on?

It combines solunar theory — moon phase plus the major and minor feeding windows that track the moon's transit, moonrise and moonset — with local weather factors such as wind, pressure and tide state.

When is the best time to fish at Funchal Beach?

The strongest bites cluster in the major solunar windows, especially where they overlap dawn or dusk. Check today's hourly activity chart and plan to be on the sand an hour before a major window opens.

How is the surf rating calculated?

Each hour is scored on swell height, period and direction, plus wind speed and its state relative to the coast. For curated spots the score is tuned to the break's optimal swell window; otherwise it reflects general conditions.

Fishing & Surf Forecast — Funchal Beach

Solunar feeding times, surf ratings and the best hours on the water at Funchal Beach.

The fishing index blends solunar theory — moon phase plus major and minor feeding windows — with local weather, computed from open data and local astronomy. Surf ratings score open marine-model data against what this coast works best with. Use them to pick your times: they are planning aids, not safety advice.

Today at Funchal Beach

80Excellent40Poor

Best fishing window: 11:17 – 13:17 (Peak 12:17)

Best surf window: 01:00 – 11:00 (40)

Spot Profile

Curated orientation and preferences for this beach.

Deep Atlantic water close to shore makes the island a serious big-game base (blue marlin, tuna) plus good bottom fishing off the headlands.

Best swell: 160° ± 40°, 200° ± 30°
Best wind: offshore (N-NE)
Best tide: all tides
Surf level: —

Fishing styles: Big GameRock FishingBottom Fishing

Beach faces 170° (S)
Optimal swell from 160° ± 40°
Optimal swell from 200° ± 30°
Today's swell from 299° (WNW)

Fishing Forecast — Today

Hourly Fishing Activity

Solunar activity score by hour. Dark bars sit inside major feeding periods; light blue bars mark minor periods.

Major period
Minor period
Dawn & dusk periods

Solunar Feeding Windows

Major periods run around the moon's transit and moonrise/moonset; shorter minor periods flank them. Peaks mark the strongest feeding minutes.

Waxing Gibbous

94% illuminated

Minor05:06 – 06:06Peak 05:36
Major11:17 – 13:17Peak 12:17
Minor18:20 – 19:20Peak 18:50

Surf Report — Today

Hourly Surf Conditions

Surf score by hour with swell height on the right axis. Hover for swell period, direction and wind. Marine forecast window starts 01:00.

Wind states used in the hourly data:

Glassy
Offshore
Cross-offshore
Cross-shore
Cross-onshore
Onshore
Unknown

Best Times

Today's top surf windows and tomorrow's fishing windows at a glance.

Surf — best windows today

01:00 – 11:0040

Fishing — windows tomorrow

Major23:40 – 01:40
Minor06:07 – 07:07
Major12:01 – 14:01
Minor18:48 – 19:48

Ratings account for this spot's preferred swell direction.

7-Day Fishing & Surf Outlook

Daily fishing and surf outlook for the week ahead.

Today
80Excellent40Poor
Tomorrow
80Excellent15Very Poor
Sat 26 Sep
90Excellent29Very Poor
Sun 27 Sep
90Excellent26Very Poor
Mon 28 Sep
80Excellent30Very Poor
Tue 29 Sep
80Excellent28Very Poor
Wed 30 Sep
80Excellent40Poor

Methodology & Data Sources

Fishing: solunar + weather computed locally. Surf: Open-Meteo Marine (DWD EWAM/GWAM models). Scores are 0-100 planning indicators — always confirm conditions with official marine forecasts before swimming, fishing or surfing.

Marine data: Open-Meteo.com (CC-BY 4.0)

How the Fishing & Surf Index works

Frequently asked questions

What is the fishing index based on?: It combines solunar theory — moon phase plus the major and minor feeding windows that track the moon's transit, moonrise and moonset — with local weather factors such as wind, pressure and tide state.
When is the best time to fish at Funchal Beach?: The strongest bites cluster in the major solunar windows, especially where they overlap dawn or dusk. Check today's hourly activity chart and plan to be on the sand an hour before a major window opens.
How is the surf rating calculated?: Each hour is scored on swell height, period and direction, plus wind speed and its state relative to the coast. For curated spots the score is tuned to the break's optimal swell window; otherwise it reflects general conditions.