Barrinha Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.

We’ve got a solid run of surf on the horizon at Barrinha, but it’s not quite ready to go straight away. The first few days are a bit of a write-off, so don’t bother checking the tides until Wednesday morning. The best window is going to be this coming weekend and into the start of the following week.

The ocean is carrying a moderate amount of energy, with combined swell energy readings in the 300-500 range early on, building to much stronger levels later. The water temperature is sitting at 64°, which is about normal for this time of year, nothing to worry about.

Tuesday (8th September) is a total scratch. Onshore winds and weak surf, you’re better off doing something else. The swell is 5ft from the SSE but with a funky cross-on breeze and a 10-second period, it’s just messy.

Wednesday morning (9th September) is where it slightly wakes up. The wind drops to glassy, absolutely dead calm, and the swell is a clean 4ft from the S with a 10-second period. Combined energy is 376, pushing into the moderate zone. The sets will be clean and offering some fun little waves. This is a genuine window for a dawn session.

Thursday and Friday get messy again with cross-shore winds and the swell dropping off. Not worth the paddle.

Saturday (12th September) is interesting. The morning sees a 8ft S swell, but a strong cross-off wind keeps the faces clean. The combined energy jumps to 1003, which is solid. The period is short at 9 seconds, so it’ll be a bit fat and sectiony, but it’s rideable and bigger. The afternoon is similar with 8ft from the S. This is for the guys who don’t mind a bit of power.

Sunday (13th September) is a strong standout. This is the best of the first week. You’re looking at 7ft to 7ft SSE swell with a 9-second period and clean cross-off winds all day. The combined energy is massive, hitting 1198 in the afternoon. This is proper, powerful surf. The wind is light to gentle, so the faces will be clean. This is the one to circle on the calendar. The crowd factor is listed as “sometimes” so you might have a few others out, but it’s worth it.

Monday (14th) is blown out by onshore winds, total washout.

Tuesday (15th September) is a big one, but it’s a warning. The swell is 10ft from the E with a 9-second period. The combined energy is a whopping 2751. That’s a lot of water. The winds are clean cross-off, but the forecast says it’s too big for this break. This is expert-only territory, and even then, be very, very careful. If you’re not a pro, stay on the beach.

Wednesday (16th) settles down to a very nice 5ft ESE swell with offshore winds and a combined energy of 499. That’s a quality morning session, clean and friendly.

The following week tails off into small, weak surf with poor winds, not much to report until the very end.

Monday (21st September) sees a return of decent swell. A 6ft S swell with offshore winds and combined energy of 407. Clean, punchy, good for a session.

Tuesday (22nd September) is the absolute standout of the entire 16-day window. This is the one. The morning delivers 7ft S swell with a 13-second period, clean cross-off winds, and combined energy of 1607. The afternoon goes glassy, zero wind, with the same 7ft S swell and a 14-second period, combined energy of 1744. This is proper groundswell, long period, powerful, and glassy. The long period will make the waves wall up nicely at Barrinha, and the lack of wind will make it perfect. The forecast says it’s excellent for experienced surfers, and considering the size and power, it’s not for beginners. This is the one to get excited about later in the month.

The very end of the run, Wednesday (23rd), gets messy again with onshore winds, so that’s your lot.

For the beginners, the window on Wednesday 9th morning or Wednesday 16th morning is your best bet. Anything over 5ft is going to be a challenge, and the 10ft day on the 15th is a hard no. The 22nd September is for the crew who know what they’re doing.

Rusty out.

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