Barra do Ceara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s shaking on our stretch of coast.

Alright, straight up – I’m not gonna sugarcoat it. This 16-day window is a real tough one for us. We’ve got a long, dry spell with very little to get excited about. The swell is coming from the east, but it’s mostly short-period windswell, and the wind is almost always on it, making things messy. We’re looking at a blank run for the first several days with no real recommendations.

The first spot we can even talk about is Barra do Ceara, and it’s a beginner-friendly break that’s exposed to the swell. The water temp is sitting around 81°F, which is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there. The recommended swell direction is from the NE, but we’re seeing a consistent east swell, which isn’t ideal.

Things start to look a little less hopeless on Sunday, August 16th in the morning. We get a bit of cross-offshore wind from the SE at 16 mph, cleaning up the 5ft east swell. The period is a short 7 seconds, so it’s not going to have much punch, but the combined energy is moderate (258). The session is described as "marginal," which is the best we’re going to get for a while. It’s still a gamble, but if you’re desperate, that’s your window.

After that, we slide back into a long stretch of poor surf conditions. The wind stays mostly cross or cross-on, and the swell stays small and weak. The next slight glimmer is on Wednesday, August 19th in the morning, with another "marginal" call on a 5ft east swell. Again, it’s clean with that cross-off wind, but the energy is weak at 215. It’s a similar story on Tuesday, August 25th in the morning – a marginal, clean session on a 5ft east swell.

Honestly, there’s no standout day here. The best on offer is probably that Sunday the 16th, but even then, it’s a long way from good. The short period and the fact that the swell direction is off from the optimum means the waves won’t be well-shaped. For a beginner, the 5ft to 6ft swell might be a touch on the big side, but the cross-off wind will at least keep it from being a total washing machine. Crowds are possible here, so don’t expect to have it to yourself.

For the rest of the period, especially through the second week, it’s more of the same: small, weak, east swell with onshore or cross-shore wind. Not worth paddling out for.

Rusty, signing off.

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