Cantinho Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – the outlook for Cantinho over the next 16 days is a tough one. We’re looking at a long, drawn-out stretch of poor conditions. The wind is stubborn, mostly blowing cross-onshore, and the waves just aren't cooperating. From the get-go, it’s a grim picture.

The whole run starts on Wednesday, July 29th, with weak, messy swell. The combined energy is a low 137, and it only gets worse. We’re stuck with that same story for days on end – a bit of NW swell, but the wind is always on it, making for choppy, lumpy, and generally unappealing surf. The swell height barely gets above 3 ft for the first week, and the period is short, mostly under 8 seconds, so there’s no power behind it.

By Saturday, August 2nd, the combined energy picks up a bit to 140, but it’s still cross-onshore and the quality is just not there. It’s a real grind. The wind stays stubborn, swinging from the north and northwest, just ruining the face of the waves.

The one and only potential highlight is much later. On Sunday, August 9th, a solid jump in size arrives. The morning shows a 5 ft swell from the NNW with a combined energy of 258, and by the afternoon it’s up to 6 ft and 349. That’s a real step up in energy. But here’s the kicker – the wind is still cross-onshore, so it’s going to be a bumpy, choppy mess. The swell is short-period too, at 6 seconds, so it’ll be a bit wonky. For a point break like Cantinho, that’s not ideal – it’ll be fat and sectiony.

The Monday after, August 10th, is the biggest of the lot. The morning shows a 7 ft swell from the NNW with a massive 725 combined energy, and the afternoon still has 6 ft and 524. That’s serious wave energy. But again, the wind is on it – fresh cross-onshore and lumpy, turning into strong cross-onshore and messy. At that size, with that wind, it’s a kite-surfing show, not a paddler’s paradise. It’s too big and messy for a beginner, and even for an expert, it’s a battle against the wind.

After that, it fades back down quickly, with the same cross-onshore wind ruining the 3 ft to 3 ft leftovers.

The water temperature is sitting right around 68°F, which is spot on average for the time of year, so at least you won’t be freezing while you’re being disappointed.

Honestly, there’s no standout session here. The whole 16-day window is a write-off for quality surf. The best of a bad bunch is possibly the morning of August 10th if you’re a masochist who loves a messy, strong onshore wind, but that’s about it. It’s a very long gap of poor surf. We’ll have to wait for the next forecast shift.

Rusty.

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