Atalaia (Molhes) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s in store for Atalaia (Molhes) over the next couple of weeks.

The forecast’s got a quiet start, but a couple of sessions are absolute crackers. The water’s around 67°, pretty much normal for this time of year.

Thursday August 13th gets us going with a small but clean 3-foot swell (SE, 15-second period). The breeze is a light cross-off from the SSW at 3 mph, so the surface is real clean. Moderate energy (373) for the size. This break can have a crowd sometimes, but a small swell like this might keep it quiet.

Friday the 14th is a two-session day. Morning’s tiny, just 2 feet, glassy as glass. The afternoon brings a 3-foot SE swell, still 14-second period, with dead calm winds. That’s pure, clean, soul-surfing conditions. Energy is 359.

Saturday the 15th – get in early. The morning has a 4-foot ESE swell (8-second period) and a light NNW cross-off at 6 mph. It’s clean enough (energy 281). The arvo turns onshore and messy.

From Sunday the 16th through Tuesday the 18th, the quality is poor. Most of it’s onshore or choppy, with short-period, weak swells. Tuesday morning the 18th is the only window – 5-foot E swell, 9 seconds, and a light NW cross-off at 3 mph. Clean, but nothing special.

There’s a real lull from the arvo of Tuesday the 18th all the way to Friday the 21st. The swell drops to 3 to 4 feet, but the wind’s all over the place and the energy’s weak. Friday morning on the 21st has a solid offshore from the W at 12 mph, but the swell is just 4 feet with a 6-second period – more wind than wave. The weekend of the 22nd and 23rd is flat with less than 1 foot of swell. A proper break.

Now, the big moments. Tuesday the 25th of August is the real standout. Morning sees 5 feet of SE swell, 8-second period, clean with a light SSW cross-off (energy 385). Good fun. But the afternoon is the one – 8 feet of SSE swell, 8-second period, clean with light cross-off, and a massive energy reading of 921. That’s strong, heavy surf. Beginners should stay away; this is for the experienced crew. It’ll be hollow and punchy.

Then, Thursday the 27th of August, early session: 7 feet of ESE swell (8-second period), light NW cross-off. The energy is 1067 – that’s serious power. Again, expert-level only. Clean, but the short period will make it peaky and fast.

The tail end of the month, Friday the 28th, gives a clean 4-foot swell on the morning, but nothing special after that.

Best on offer? No question – Tuesday afternoon the 25th of August at Atalaia (Molhes) – 8 feet of clean, punchy swell. Second best is Thursday morning the 27th – 7 feet with clean winds, but it’s a long way out, so don’t bank on it just yet.

Catch ya, Rusty.

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