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

80Excellent19Very Poor

Best fishing window: 10:23 – 12:23 (Peak 11:23)

Best surf window: 07:00 – 11:00 (19)

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 233° (SW)

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.

Waning Crescent

3% illuminated

Minor05:14 – 06:14Peak 05:44
Major10:23 – 12:23Peak 11:23
Minor16:25 – 17:25Peak 16:55
Major22:46 – 00:46Peak 23:46

Surf Report — Today

Hourly Surf Conditions

Surf score by hour with swell height on the right axis. Hover for swell period, direction and wind.

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

07:00 – 11:0019
21:00 – 23:0016

Fishing — windows tomorrow

Minor06:15 – 07:15
Major11:09 – 13:09
Minor16:57 – 17:57

Ratings account for this spot's preferred swell direction.

7-Day Fishing & Surf Outlook

Daily fishing and surf outlook for the week ahead.

Today
80Excellent19Very Poor
Tomorrow
77Excellent32Very Poor
Mon 9 Nov
90Excellent25Very Poor
Tue 10 Nov
80Excellent26Very Poor
Wed 11 Nov
80Excellent60Fair
Thu 12 Nov
80Excellent60Fair
Fri 13 Nov
80Excellent54Fair

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.