Barrinha Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for our local stretch over the next couple of weeks.

The next few days are pretty flat, with small, weak waves and poor conditions. We’re looking at a bit of a lull until we get a proper pulse of energy rolling in. The waiting game starts now.

Tuesday morning the 28th sees tiny 2ft S swell but it’s a write-off with cross-shore wind. The surf stays small and messy right through to the end of July. Wednesday the 29th offers a cleaner look in the morning – 2ft S swell with light offshore wind from the SW, so the surface will be clean. But it’s only ordinary, and honestly not worth paddling out for.

Thursday the 30th morning is the first real tease. Barrinha faces 2ft S swell with glassy conditions, the wind from the SE barely a whisper. It’s small, but that clean, glassy surface could give you a few little runners if you’re desperate. Combined energy is weak at 98, so temper expectations.

Then we hit a big gap. From Friday the 31st through to Monday the 3rd of August, it’s all poor surf and onshore chop, with the swell barely registering. A couple of those days have clean wind but the swell is just 0.7ft to 1ft – not worth a second look.

Now, things start changing around Tuesday the 4th of August. Tuesday morning delivers 3ft S swell with glassy conditions – a light NW breeze, dead calm. The energy jumps up to a moderate 269, and the wave comment is “expect good surf conditions.” This is the first real potential window for a session, but it’s still not the standout.

The true standout comes Wednesday the 5th of August. Wednesday morning at Barrinha is going to be special. We’ve got 6ft S swell – solid intermediate size – with a period of 9 seconds. The wind is totally calm, glassy as a mirror. Combined energy rips through at a strong 853. This is the best morning of the window so far: chest to head high, clean, and lining up. It’s not too big for a confident intermediate, but beginners will find it a handful. If you can only surf one day this week, this is it. Expect crowds though, as it’s sometimes busy here.

Thursday the 6th of August morning is another good one: 4ft SSE swell, glassy again with a light NNW breeze. Energy is strong at 344. Clean, fun waves, but the Wednesday morning is the bigger, better pick.

Saturday the 8th onward sees a drop in size and a return to ordinary conditions through the weekend. Sunday the 9th afternoon brings a pick-up with 4ft S swell and clean cross-off wind, and Monday the 10th afternoon pushes 6ft SE swell (short period, 7 seconds) with gentle offshore wind from the SW – that’s clean but a bit short period.

The second standout is Tuesday the 11th of August. This one is for the experienced crew. We’ve got 6ft S swell with a very long period of 14 seconds – groundswell energy with real punch. Early morning has light cross-off wind, clean faces. Combined energy is a beastly 1436 (very strong). This is powerful, well-shaped swell, but that long period means at a beach break like Barrinha it may stand up fast and close out. It will be best if you can find a bank or a peak that handles it. This is expert territory. Wednesday the 12th of August morning is similar with 6ft SSE swell at 14 seconds, glassy calm – another epic morning for strong surfers, but the afternoon turns onshore.

So to sum it up: get out on Wednesday the 5th morning for the best all-round day. Experienced surfers should circle Tuesday the 11th and Wednesday the 12th mornings for power and size. The rest is either too small, too messy, or too far out to call with confidence.

Rusty.

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