Atalaia (Molhes) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a solid run of surf ahead, but it’s a bit of a mixed bag for the first few days. The good news is that the swell is from a promising direction, but we have to wait for the right wind to line up. The real standout is going to be Wednesday morning, the 26th of August—that’s the one to circle on the calendar.

Things start off a bit ordinary on Tuesday morning, the 25th of August. Atalaia (Molhes) has a small 3ft swell from the SE with a lovely 13-second period, which is a nice groundswell, but the conditions are just average. The water temp is 67°, which is about normal for this time of year. The combined energy is moderate (206). It’s glassy, so it’s surfable, but nothing to get excited about. Tuesday afternoon goes flat with poor conditions.

Now, Wednesday morning, the 26th of August, is where it’s at. The swell bumps up to 4ft from the SE, and the period stretches to a very long 15 seconds. That’s proper groundswell energy, and the combined energy jumps to a strong 575. The wind is a glassy 3 mph from the W, so it’ll be clean as a whistle. This is the best session on offer—should be some nice, lined-up waves. Wednesday afternoon sees a cross-on wind creep in, making it more marginal.

Thursday morning, the 27th, is another good one. The swell drops a touch to 3ft from the SE, period at 14 seconds, and energy is still strong at 440. Glassy conditions again from the NNW at 3 mph. This is a solid second choice. Thursday afternoon turns to poor surf with a cross-on breeze.

Friday the 28th, the swell shifts to the ENE at 4ft, but the period drops to a short 8 seconds. Morning looks glassy, so it’ll be clean, but the waves will be a bit weak and crumbly. The energy is moderate (246). Friday afternoon is poor.

Saturday morning the 29th is a good call. The swell is 5ft from the ENE, still short-period at 8 seconds, but with glassy SW wind at 3 mph, it’ll be clean. Energy is moderate (290). Not the best shape, but fun for a surf. The afternoon turns onshore and messy.

Sunday the 30th has a clean morning. The swell is 4ft from the ENE, period 9 seconds, with a nice offshore wind from the W at 6 mph. Combined energy is moderate (272). This is a good, clean session. Sunday afternoon is cross-on again.

Monday the 31st is a tricky one. The morning is glassy with 4ft swell, but it’s heavy rain. The swell is short-period at 9 seconds, and the energy is moderate (263). It’s surfable, but you’ll be getting wet from above. The afternoon is poor.

Tuesday the 1st of September brings a bigger, crappier swell. 6ft from the SSE but only 7 seconds period, and a strong 12 mph cross-shore wind. This is a messy, powerful, onshore mess. The energy is strong (548), but it’s not for paddling—this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

The second week settles down. Wednesday the 2nd of September morning is clean with a 4ft SE swell, period 9 seconds, and light offshore wind. Energy is moderate (303). Thursday the 3rd is also clean in the morning with a 4ft ESE swell, 10-second period, and a nice offshore from the WNW. Energy is moderate (269). Both are good, tidy sessions.

Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th are poor to ordinary—small swell and onshore winds.

Sunday the 6th of September brings a new pulse: 6ft to 6ft from the ENE with a period of 8-9 seconds. This is a bigger, short-period swell. The morning is glassy, the afternoon is clean. Energy is strong (410 to 536). This is a promising day for the second week, but it’s a long way out, so don’t lock it in yet.

Monday the 7th and Tuesday the 8th of September both have clean mornings with 5ft ENE swell, 9-second period, and glassy conditions. Good, consistent, fun waves. Energy is moderate (306 to 277). Wednesday the 9th of September is more ordinary again.

Overall, the best surf is the Wednesday morning, 26th of August. The 4ft SE groundswell with glassy wind and very long 15-second period will be clean and have some push. The Saturday morning, 29th of August, is also a standout for the bigger swell, but it’s short-period. For the second week, the Sunday morning, 6th of September, looks promising but is less certain.

Rusty out.

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