Barrinha Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Gather ‘round, surfers. Rusty here, looking at the run ahead for Barrinha.

Right now, we’ve got a solid pulse of Southern Ocean energy pushing in, but it’s a tricky one. The water temp is sitting at 61°, which is a proper 5° colder than normal for this time of year – that’s a notable chill, so don’t forget your steamer. The combined swell energy is a hefty 1654 (strong), so there is plenty of push behind it.

Let’s start with today, Saturday the 4th. The morning is the pick of the entire first week. We’re looking at a clean 8ft S swell with a 12-second period, and light SW winds – offshore and glassy. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. The wave comment backs it up: "excellent surf conditions." The afternoon sees the swell bump up a touch to 8ft, but the wind clocks around to a cross-off from the south. It’s still good, but the morning is the window.

Sunday the 5th rolls in with some early magic. The morning is glassy, with a NNW breeze at 3 mph, and a 7ft S swell (11 secs). With that kind of wind state, the faces will be smooth and clean. That’s a standout window. By the afternoon, the wind turns onshore from the NE at 9 mph, and the quality drops fast – marginal at best.

Monday the 6th is a write-off. The swell drops to 4ft and the wind goes messy, with a cross-on component. The combined energy is down to 603 (moderate), and the wave comment says "poor surf conditions."

Tuesday the 7th is still pretty average. The swell period drops to 7 seconds in the morning – that’s short-period, jumbled-up windswell – with a weak 473 (moderate) of energy. The afternoon is slightly better with a 6ft SSW swell and a cross-off breeze, but it’s only marginal.

Wednesday the 8th through until Sunday the 13th is a long, flat gap. The swell drops below 3ft for most of those days, with combined energy hovering in the 100-200 range (weak). A few light onshore days and even some rain. Nothing worth paddling out for.

Now, here’s the turnaround. Tuesday the 14th. The swell comes back with a bang. A 6ft S swell in the morning, building to 7ft by the afternoon, with a 12-second period and cross-off winds. The combined energy jumps to 1182 (strong) and the wave comment says "expect very good surf conditions." That morning is the real gem in the second week, but the whole day looks promising.

Wednesday the 15th sees the swell stay around 7ft, but the wind swings onshore from the NNE – a cross-on mess. The energy is still 1259 (strong), but the quality is marginal to poor. Thursday the 16th is similar – solid swell, but wind keeps it from being clean, though Thursday afternoon is worth a look with a 7ft S swell and a cross-off breeze.

Friday the 17th is the big one for heavy-water crew. The morning serves up a 8ft S swell with a 14-second period – that’s a proper, long-period groundswell. The wind is offshore from the SW at 12 mph. The combined energy hits 2349 (very strong), and the wave comment is "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." This is only for experts – too big for beginners. With that long period, it might offer better shape at a protected reef or point, but at a beach break it could close out. Still, the raw power and clean conditions make it the standout of the entire 16-day run.

Saturday the 18th fades fast with onshore winds and dropping swell, and Sunday the 19th peters out into tiny, ordinary waves.

So, to sum it up: the absolute best on offer is this morning, Saturday the 4th, with clean, head-high-plus S swell and offshore winds. The other standout to pencil in is Tuesday the 14th for a return of clean, solid surf. And for the brave, Friday the 17th is a beast of a day – huge, powerful, and clean, but experts only. Keep an eye on that one, but remember it’s a long way out, so don’t lock in your plans just yet.

Rusty.

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