Atalaia (Molhes) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab a coffee and let’s talk about what’s in the water for our stretch of coast. We’re looking at Atalaia (Molhes), and I’ll be straight with you – it’s a pretty quiet patch of ocean for the next week or so. The first few days are a write-off for anything decent, so don’t rush to get your wetsuit on just yet.

For the first week, from Wednesday the 19th of August right through the weekend, the swell is tiny and the wind is a mess. Wednesday morning you’ve got a weak 3 ft swell from the ENE with a short 8-second period and a cross-on breeze, total energy is only 145 (weak). The water here is sitting at 66°, which is about average for the time of year, so nothing unusual there. But the surf is just poor. Thursday morning is glassy with a smaller 3 ft swell, but the energy is down to 82 (weak) – it’s surfable but very ordinary. Friday morning turns offshore with a clean 12 mph W wind, but the swell drops to 2 ft and the period is a short 7 seconds, so it’s just not worth the paddle.

The weekend isn’t much better. Saturday morning is glassy again with a 2 ft SE swell, period of 10 seconds, and energy at 150 (moderate), but the size is tiny. Sunday morning also glassy, 2 ft SSE swell with a longer 11-second period, but energy is only 95 (weak). It’s clean, but you’re fighting for scraps.

Now, the turning point comes on Monday the 24th of August. This is where things start to get interesting. The morning shows a solid 4 ft SE swell with a 14-second period, which is a long period groundswell – that means better shaped waves and more energy. The combined energy jumps to 816 (strong). The wind is light cross-shore from the SSE, so it’s messy but not terrible. This is the first real standout of the forecast. The waves will have some push, but that long period could make the sets a bit walled up at the beach break; it’s better suited for points and reefs. For a jetty setup like Molhes, it might still work.

After that, we drop back into smaller, weaker surf for a few days. Tuesday the 25th is a write-off, Wednesday the 26th has a clean morning with a 3 ft ENE swell, but the period is a short 7 seconds and energy is 131 (weak) – passable, but nothing to write home about.

Then, here’s the real one to circle on your calendar: Monday the 31st of August. The morning shows a 6 ft ENE swell, period of 7 seconds, but the combined energy is 522 (moderate to strong). The wind is light cross-offshore from the SSW, so the conditions are clean. The afternoon stays clean with a 5 ft swell. This is the biggest swell of the whole forecast, and with offshore wind, it’s going to be the best session on offer. The swell direction is ENE, which is close to the optimum SSE direction for the break – not perfect, but close enough to work. Just be aware, the period is short, so the waves will be a bit choppier and less lined up. At 6 ft, it’s still okay for intermediates, but beginners might find it a bit much.

The rest of the first week of September looks poor again, with light rain and onshore winds, so don’t get your hopes up for anything after that.

So, for the standout: Monday the 31st of August is your best bet. The swell is the biggest, the wind is clean, and the energy is solid. If you’re a surfer who can handle a bit of a short-period punch, get out there. The rest of the window is mostly small and weak, but the 24th of August has some potential if you’re patient.

Stay salty,
Rusty

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