Barrinha Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m looking at the next couple of weeks at Barrinha. We’ve got a quiet start, but the back half of the outlook has some real potential, so don’t write it off just yet.

Right now, water temperature is sitting at 67°, which is about normal for this time of year – nothing out of the ordinary. The next few days are pretty flat and not worth your time. Sunday and Monday are all small, weak swells with poor conditions, and the combined energy is barely registering (2 to 60). Tuesday afternoon, 4 August, is the first hint of life. The swell is still small at 4 ft from the south, but the wind turns glassy, and the combined energy climbs to 343 – that’s moderate. It’s a marginal window, but if you’re desperate, you could get a few clean little waves.

Then we hit a dry spell. From Wednesday 5 August right through to Saturday 8 August, it’s all small, messy, and under 100 for combined energy. Not much to get excited about. The real story starts on Sunday 9 August. We get a solid 10 ft S swell rolling in, but here’s the catch – it’s too big for Barrinha. The combined energy blasts up to 2310 (strong) but the comment says the swell is predicted to be too big for this break. Monday morning 10 August is even bigger, with 10 ft from the south and combined energy at 5883 (very strong), but again, it’s too big for the spot. The wind is cross-on and choppy, so this is really only for experts, and even then, it’s a gamble.

The standout period comes Tuesday 11 August through Wednesday 12 August. Swell drops to a more manageable 7 ft to 6 ft from the south, with a period of 13 seconds – that’s a nice groundswell with real push. The combined energy is still strong (1329 to 1044), but the wind turns clean cross-off, which is a major positive. Tuesday afternoon has 7 ft from the south at 14 seconds, glassy cross-off wind, and the combined energy at 1444. Wednesday morning has 6 ft, 13 seconds, cross-off, and the comment says “expect very good surf conditions.” Wednesday afternoon is also clean with 5 ft from the south, 12 seconds, and combined energy at 738. This is the best window. The swell is a touch overhead, but it’s clean, consistent, and the wind is offshore. Just be aware that with a longer period like 13-14 seconds, the sets will have more gap between them, making the paddle out easier.

After that, it drops off. Thursday 13 August is still rideable (5 ft to 6 ft) but the wind turns onshore, making it choppy. From Friday 14 August onward, the energy fades fast, and it’s back to small, poor conditions all the way through to Monday 17 August. The last week is a bust.

The best on offer is definitely Wednesday 12 August. The swell is 5 ft to 6 ft from the south, offshore wind, clean, and the combined energy is strong. That’s the one to aim for. Tuesday 11 August is also a solid option, especially if you want a bit more size. Everything else is either too small, too big, or too windy.

Rusty.

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