Atalaia (Molhes) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks around here.

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you: the first week or so is pretty flat and sad. From Saturday, August 1st, right through to Monday, August 10th, we’re looking at a real run of tiny, weak, and often messy conditions. The swell is small, mostly from the ENE, with short periods around 6 to 8 seconds. The combined energy is low, usually under 100 (72 to 131), so there’s just no grunt in the water. Winds are often cross or cross-onshore, making it choppy. There are a few brief windows of clean, glassy conditions on the mornings of Monday 3rd, Tuesday 4th, and Wednesday 5th, but the swell is barely 2ft to 3ft. Not exactly worth paddling out for unless you’re desperate for a longboard session in lukewarm water.

Now, the real story starts to shift around Tuesday, August 11th. The morning of the 11th is the first proper standout here. Atalaia (Molhes) is the break to watch. We’ve got a 6ft swell rolling in from the SSE with a 9-second period. The combined energy jumps to a solid 677 (moderate wave energy), and the wind is glassy—light and variable from the SW. That means clean, lined-up waves. The water temperature is about 66°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so no surprises there. This is a session for the intermediate crew; the swell is big enough to be fun but not too heavy.

After that, things get a bit messy again. Wednesday 12th sees a bit of swell but with strong, onshore winds, so it’s a write-off. The real doozy, and what could be the best option for the whole outlook, lands on Thursday, August 13th. The afternoon brings a 7ft swell from the SSE, with a very long period of 13 seconds. That’s groundswell energy, and the combined energy hits a massive 1645 (very strong wave energy). But here’s the catch: the wind is a moderate cross-shore from the S, so it’s going to be a bit bumpy. This is pure expert territory. That 7ft with a long period will be powerful and walled-up, especially at a beach/jetty setup. The size and period mean it’s not for beginners at all. If you’re an experienced surfer, it’s a serious, heavy day.

The rest of the second week, from Friday 14th onward, sees the swell drop back to 4ft or less, with periods from 13 seconds down to 5 seconds. The energy is moderate (463 down to 105), but winds are often onshore or cross, so it’s mostly poor to marginal. The morning of Saturday 15th has glassy conditions with a 3ft, 13-second SE swell, but it’s small.

Overall, there’s a long, flat gap at the start. The best bet by far is the morning of Tuesday, August 11th, for clean, fun-size waves. The heavy hitter for experts is the afternoon of Thursday, August 13th, but be ready for the bump and the power. Don’t get your hopes up for the rest.

Rusty.

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