Surf Forecasts:
Arpoador surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 3PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 14s period, S swell with 1,837 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 7s period with E swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Arpoador this week:
The surf forecast for Arpoador over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Arpoador in the next 16 days are 2.2m 14s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (-03) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 3PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Arpoador over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming our way.
It’s a slow burn to start, but there’s a real heater on the horizon. The first few days are pretty flat and weak, so don’t rush out. The good stuff doesn’t show up until the second week, and when it does, it’s a proper pulse.
The surf is barely worth a look through the end of the first week. Tuesday the 18th has a tiny 3ft swell from the ESE with a short 7 second period, and the breeze is light offshore so it’s clean, but the energy is only 115. That’s a whole lot of nothing. Wednesday and Thursday are the same story – small, weak, and forgettable. Friday morning the 21st is clean with a 3ft ESE swell, but still weak. The weekend sees a bump in size from the south, but the wind messes it up.
The real action starts Monday the 24th of August. The morning brings a solid 5ft south swell with a 12 second period, and the wind is a clean cross-offshore. The combined energy hits 605, which is moderate, and the forecast says good surf. By the afternoon, it’s even better – 5ft south swell, still clean, at 676 energy. This is the first real window.
Arpoador is the spot. It’s consistent and handles a south swell well. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so no need for a thick suit. This break is beginner-friendly, but at 5ft, it’s still manageable for most. The crowd can be a pain – it’s often busy, so get there early.
The absolute standout is Tuesday the 25th of August. The morning session delivers a 7ft swell from the south with a very long period of 14 seconds. The wind is cross-offshore and clean. This is a proper groundswell, with a combined energy of 1627 – that’s strong. The forecast says excellent conditions for experienced surfers. At 7ft, this is big for most, but for the crew who know what they’re doing, Arpoador will be pumping. The long period makes it powerful, and the south swell direction is perfect for this break. The afternoon is still good with 7ft, but the wind picks up.
Wednesday the 26th holds some decent leftover energy, around 4ft, and the wind stays clean, but the quality drops. Thursday the 27th is still surfable in the morning with clean 4ft swell, but the afternoon gets crossed up. The following weekend into early September has a few more clean, rideable days, but nothing touches the peak of the 25th.
If you want the best of the run, mark Tuesday the 25th of August at Arpoador. That’s the one. Everything else is just filler.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Wed morning, min 20°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 30°C on Fri morning, min 18°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | ESE 7 | E 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 7 | E 7 | ESE 7 | E 7 | E 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SW 6 | SSW 7 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
388 | 79 | 124 | 81 | 46 | 82 | 99 | 38 | 93 | 343 | 64 | 50 | 128 | 73 | 344 | 273 | 327 | 273 | 534 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross | glassy | off | cross | glassy | glassy | cross | off | off | on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:39AM1.05m | 5:51PM0.92m | 00:24AM0.41m | 6:41AM0.93m | 12:11PM0.59m | 6:41PM0.84m | 7:36AM0.83m | 12:47PM0.67m | 7:29PM0.77m | 8:35AM0.75m | 1:27PM0.73m | 8:24PM0.72m | 12:38PM0.78m | 10:40PM0.72m | 12:24PM0.86m | 11:44PM0.83m | |||
Low Tide | 10:59PM0.39m | 1:01PM0.48m | 10:53PM0.40m | 10:46AM0.58m | 1:45PM0.58m | 11:11PM0.42m | 10:46AM0.64m | 4:11PM0.64m | 4:23AM0.43m | 5:35PM0.57m | 5:33AM0.32m | 1:23PM0.78m | 6:14PM0.48m | 6:16AM0.21m | 6:51PM0.41m | ||||
— | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | 6 |
Temp °C | 23 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 30 | 27 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 23 | 28 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 30 | 24 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 |
148 | 79 | 57 | 81 | 46 | 34 | 29 | 38 | 38 | 99 | 64 | 50 | 48 | 73 | 344 | 273 | 327 | 273 | 534 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 15 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | S 12 | E 7 |
55 | 33 | 18 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 21 | 17 | 5 | 23 | 13 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 109 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 9 | — | S 11 | SE 13 | SE 8 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | — | — | — | S 14 | — | E 8 | E 8 | — | E 8 | — |
— | 3 | — | 2 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 4 | — | 5 | 6 | — | 1 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | — | E 7 | — | — | E 7 | E 7 | — | E 7 | E 7 | — | S 9 | SW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
388 | — | 124 | — | — | 82 | 99 | — | 93 | 343 | — | 41 | 128 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 51 | 0 | 6 | 265 | 0 | 0 | 51 | 116 | 116 | 1585 | 213 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Rio de Janeiro | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Brazil | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Arpoador Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Arpoador provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Arpoador can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Arpoador surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Arpoador) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Arpoador may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Arpoador is 14 km (9 miles) from the very large city of Niteroi. If you plan a holiday in Rio de Janeiro, look for hotels and other accommodation in Niteroi. Niteroi has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as cheap car hire and transport links.











