Barra da Tijuca Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. The surf’s gonna be a bit of a mixed bag over the next couple of weeks, but there are definitely some windows to get wet if you pick your moments.

The first bit of the run is pretty average, to be honest. It’s a slow burn for the first few days, so don’t rush out just yet. But if you’re keen, there are some cleaner windows towards the middle of the period that are worth a look.

So, starting out on the 15th and 16th, it’s pretty poor. We’ve got some small, messy swell rolling in, maybe 2.5 to 3.5 feet, with a light cross-onshore breeze making it feel choppy and uninviting. The swell is short-period, around 8 to 11 seconds, so there’s not much push behind it. The energy is weak to moderate (216 to 361 range), and honestly, if you’re paddling out, you’re gonna be fighting for scraps. The water’s sitting at 73.4°, which is a touch warmer than you’d expect for this time of year – not a big deal, but noticeable.

Come Thursday the 17th, still pretty grumpy. The swell bumps up a little to 4.2 to 4.6 feet, but it’s cross-shore, and the period is all over the place – 8 seconds in the morning, then dropping to a longer 13 seconds by the afternoon. That longer period brings a bit more energy (up to 739), but it’s still messy and not really doing anything for Barra da Tijuca (Rio de Janeiro).

Now, Friday the 18th looks like the first half-decent window. The morning sees a clean 3.3 feet with a cross-offshore wind, and the period is a solid 11 seconds. It’s not big, but the energy is there (301), and it’ll be surfable. The afternoon, though, gets chopped up again with a moderate cross-shore breeze, so make the most of the morning.

Saturday the 19th is a bit of a tease. The morning cleans up again with 4.2 feet swell, cross-offshore, but the period drops right back to 6 seconds. That’s gonna be all mush and no grunt. The energy is moderate (335), but it’s not gonna give you any real waves.

Sunday the 20th is where things start getting interesting. We’ve got the swell picking up to 6.5 feet in the morning, with a light cross-offshore wind. The energy jumps up into the strong range (735), and the period is a short 8 seconds, but it’s clean. The afternoon drops a bit to 5 feet, still clean with a light breeze. This is one of the better days on offer early on.

Then there’s a bit of a lull. From the 21st through to the 24th, the swell drops right off. We’re talking 1.5 to 3 feet, weak energy (down to 51-96), and it’s mostly cross or onshore. The 22nd morning has a glassy 2.6 feet, but it’s marginal at best. Not worth getting out of bed for.

Now, the 25th – Friday – has a quick spike. The morning is glassy, clean, with a 2.6 feet swell from the south at a nice 13-second period. The energy is moderate (357), and it’ll be clean, but it’s small. Definitely a log or a funboard day. The afternoon, though, gets a light cross-onshore, so not as good.

The 26th is just ordinary. Drop off in size again, 1.3 to 1.6 feet, clean but tiny. Not doing anything.

Now here’s the real standout. Sunday the 27th through to Tuesday the 30th. The surf is finally starting to pump. On the 27th morning, we’ve got 2 feet from the south with a very long 16-second period, and it’s glassy. That’s raw groundswell, proper energy (375). It’s small, but the period is insane, and with that glass, it’s gonna be silky. But then the afternoon turns to junk – 5.5 feet but choppy with a moderate cross-onshore.

The 28th and 29th see a big jump in size. We’re talking 5.9 to 6.9 feet, with energy levels going into the strong range – 1248, 1446, even up to 1970 on the 29th morning. The period is in that 12-13 second range, proper groundswell. But it’s not clean. It’s mostly cross or cross-on, with some onshore on the 28th morning. It’s gonna be big and powerful, but it won’t be clean.

The 30th – Wednesday – looks like the standout. Morning has 4.9 feet from the SSE with a 12-second period, and the wind is cross-offshore with barely a breath, making it glassy. The energy is strong (685).

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