Arrifana Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.

Well, folks, it’s a tough stretch ahead. We’ve got a solid 16-day window, but honestly, there’s no standout surf to get excited about. The whole period is a bit flat, so don’t expect any fireworks. The water is running much colder than normal for this time of year, sitting at 65°F at Arrifana, which is about 5°F below average. That’s a real shock to the system for late July.

We’re starting off on Wednesday, July 29th, with tiny waves at Arrifana. Morning brings a 0.7m (2ft) NW swell with a period of 9 seconds and light NNW cross-offshore winds. The combined energy is weak at 107, so it’s clean but gutless. By afternoon, the wind picks up and the swell drops to 0.6m (2ft), making it a real struggle. Honestly, you’d be better off spending the day doing something else.

Thursday the 30th is even smaller. A 0.4m (1ft) WNW swell in the morning and a 0.5m (2ft) NW in the afternoon. Winds stay cross-offshore, but there’s just nothing to ride. The energy readings are pathetic, in the 40s and 50s. Friday the 31st is more of the same – 0.4m and 0.3m (1.0ft) swells with short periods. The combined energy plummets into the 20s and 30s. It’s flat, plain and simple.

Heading into the first weekend of August, there’s a slight bump. Saturday the 1st sees a 0.7m (2ft) WNW swell in the morning, with energy climbing to 162 (moderate). Still clean, but the size is tiny. Sunday the 2nd is similar with 0.9m to 1.0m (3ft to 3ft) but from the NNW, and the period is a short 6 seconds, so it’s going to be weak and choppy despite the clean conditions.

The whole first week of August is a write-off. Swell heights stay below 1m (3ft), periods are poor, and the wind is mostly cross-offshore but doesn’t matter because there’s no power. From Monday the 3rd through to Wednesday the 6th, it’s all 0.4m to 0.8m (1ft to 3ft) with moderate to fresh breezes. You’re not missing a thing.

Now, towards the end of the 16 days, there’s a modest pulse around August 7th and 8th. Friday morning the 7th sees the swell bump to 1.2m (4ft) from the WNW (period 8 seconds) with energy at 192 (moderate). By afternoon it’s 1.4m (5ft) from the NW, energy hits 241 (moderate). Saturday the 8th holds similar size at 1.3m to 1.4m (4ft to 5ft). Still, with periods of just 7 to 8 seconds, it’s going to be a bit lumpy and fat. The wind remains cross-offshore, so it’ll be clean, but the wave quality is poor.

After that, it drops off again heading into the second week of August. Sunday the 9th to Wednesday the 13th is back to 0.4m to 1.0m (1ft to 3ft) swells with mostly short periods and moderate to fresh northerly breezes. Nothing to write home about.

Overall, if you’re desperate for a paddle, the best you’ll get is the morning of August 7th or the 8th at Arrifana. Clean conditions and some waist-high waves, but don’t expect any quality. This is a classic summer flat spell. Sometimes you just have to wait it out.

Rusty.

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