Atalaia (Molhes) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line for Atalaia. The next couple of weeks are a bit of a mixed bag, but there’s a definite window of light wind and clean conditions that’s worth keeping an eye on. We’ll start off quiet, but it builds.

First thing Thursday morning, the 6th, we’ve got tiny waves around 2ft from the ENE with a short period of 7 seconds. The wind is light offshore from the WNW though, so it’s clean. The combined energy is weak (79), so it’s not going to get your heart racing, but it’s a paddle. Friday morning, the 7th, sees a slight bump to 3ft from the same ENE direction, period up to 8 seconds, still with offshore wind from the W. Energy is still low (95). It’s surfable, but very ordinary.

The weekend gets messy. Saturday the 8th brings a pulse of longer period swell from the SE at 14 seconds, but the height is only 3ft. The energy jumps up to moderate (324) thanks to that long period, but the wind is light cross-shore, so it’s not clean. Sunday the 9th is a write-off with onshore winds and messy conditions. The swell gets up to 4ft – 5ft from the SSE, but the wind is cross-onshore at 12 mph, making it choppy and poor. Not worth it.

Monday through Tuesday the 10th to 11th is all cross-shore winds and very small, weak, long-period swell. The energy is in the 170s to 220s, but the conditions are just poor. A real flat spell.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Wednesday the 12th is the standout. The morning brings a clean 4ft SE swell with a 12-second period, and the wind is a light cross-offshore from the SSW. The energy is solid moderate (352). Then in the afternoon, it gets even better: the wind goes glassy. That’s right, glassy conditions with that same 4ft swell. This is the best on offer in the first week. The swell direction (SE) is a touch off the optimum (SSE), but with clean, glassy conditions, it’s going to be fun. The water temp is about average for this time of year.

After Wednesday, the 13th and 14th drop back to tiny, clean but weak surf. Energy is down to 170-298. Not much to write home about.

The second week starts slow. The 15th through the 17th is mostly poor, with onshore winds and small, weak waves. However, on the 17th, Monday afternoon, we see a sudden jump in size. The swell hits 7ft from the SE, but with a nasty cross-onshore wind at 12 mph and a short 9-second period, it’s a choppy, messy mess. At that size with those winds, the beach/jetty setup at Atalaia (Molhes) is going to be chaotic, probably more interesting for the kite crew than a paddle surfer.

Then, Tuesday the 18th delivers the real second-week standout. The morning sees a beautiful 6ft swell from the ESE, with a 9-second period and clean offshore wind from the WNW. The energy is powerful (1020). That’s strong, punchy wave energy. The afternoon stays clean with a 5ft ESE swell and a light cross-offshore wind. This is the pick of the entire second week. The swell size is a bit much for beginners, but for intermediate and above, that’s a solid session.

Wednesday the 19th and Thursday the 20th are still good, with clean offshore winds in the mornings and 4ft to 4ft ESE swells, but the energy drops off. Friday the 21st finishes the run with a clean 5ft swell from the E in the morning, with light offshore wind. A solid way to end the forecast.

So, to sum it up: the best windows are Wednesday the 12th for glassy, clean small waves, and Tuesday the 18th for a bigger, punchy, clean swell. The long-range stuff on the 18th is promising, but keep an eye on it as it gets closer.

Rusty.

Read more