Barrinha Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let me tell you how it’s looking for the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag ahead, so I’ll walk you through it day by day.

Right from the get-go, Saturday morning, the 11th of July, there’s some small swell at Barrinha. But honestly, it’s a bit of a write-off. We’re looking at a 5ft ESE swell, but it’s coming with a light cross-onshore breeze and light rain, and the water is *much* colder than normal for this time of year – about 59°, which is 7° cooler than average. That’s a real shock to the system. The combined energy is weak (722), so it’s not powerful, and the conditions are just marginal. Not worth rushing out for.

Sunday the 12th picks up a little. The morning sees a 4ft ESE swell with a 12-second period, and a clean cross-offshore wind from the SSW at 12 mph. The energy bumps up to a moderate 1154, which is the best we’ll see for a while. That morning session looks rideable, with some shape in the lines. The afternoon drops off a bit in energy and the wind picks up, so the morning is your window.

Monday the 13th has a bit more size – a 7ft S swell in the morning with a short 8-second period, but the wind is a clean cross-offshore from the SW at 9 mph. The energy is moderate (926), but that short period means it’ll be a bit soft and maybe lumpy. In the afternoon it drops right back down. Not the best, but not a total loss.

Now, here’s where it gets rough. From Tuesday the 14th all the way through to Wednesday the 22nd of July, we are in a real dry spell. The winds turn cross-onshore and strengthen, the swell drops and gets messy. We’re talking days of 0.3ft to 4ft with moderate to fresh onshore breezes. The energy numbers are tiny – dropping from 892 down to just 3 at one point. The surf is poor, the conditions are choppy, and honestly, it’s looking more like a kitesurfing week than a paddling week if you’re into that. That’s about a 9-day stretch of nothing worth recommending.

Finally, we get a little light at the end of the tunnel. On Thursday the 23rd of July, things turn around. The morning shows a 5ft S swell with a short 8-second period, but here’s the kicker – we get a gentle offshore wind from the SW at 9 mph. That offshore wind will clean it right up, making for some fun, punchy waves. The energy is moderate (542), so it won’t be huge, but it will be *good*. The afternoon holds up too with a clean cross-offshore wind. That Thursday morning is the standout of the whole outlook. It’s a bit far out, so don’t get too locked in, but it’s looking promising.

The following Friday, the 24th, offers some leftovers with a 4ft S swell but a much longer 14-second period. That’s proper groundswell, but the wind is light cross-onshore, so it might be a bit tricky. The energy is solid (891), so there’s power there, but the wind is not perfect.

After that, the 25th and 26th of July drop off again into onshore and choppy conditions, so don’t plan your week around those.

So to wrap it up: the best bet by far is the morning of Thursday the 23rd of July at Barrinha. That offshore wind and the 5ft swell will be the cleanest you’ll see in this forecast. Sunday the 12th morning is a distant second. Everything else is a wait-and-see or a skip.

Stay patient, get ready for that Thursday session.

Rusty

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