Carcavelos Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's coming down the line for Carcavelos over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we've got a bit of a quiet spell. For the first week, from August 9th to the 15th, it's pretty grim. The swell is small and choppy, mostly under 5 feet, and the wind is a constant cross or cross-offshore breeze that's just messing up the surface. The wave energy is weak to moderate (132 to 290), and the conditions are just not clean for a decent paddle. We're looking at a real flat spell with no real standout surf.

Now, hold on to your boards, because things start to look up from Sunday the 16th. The morning shows a bit of life with a 5ft swell from the NW, but it's still a bit short period at 7 seconds. The real firecracker is Monday the 17th of August. The morning brings a solid 7ft swell from the NNW, with a period of 9 seconds, and the wave energy is properly pumping at 661. The wind is a light breeze from the north, making for clean conditions. The afternoon session is even better with glassy conditions and the same 7ft swell. Now, this is a big one – over 7ft, and at Carcavelos, that's expert territory. It's a beach break, and long-period groundswell like this can make it dumpy and close out, but the energy is undeniable. The forecast is calling it "too big for this break," so if you're not a seasoned surfer, this is a spectator day. For the experts, this is the best on offer.

The following morning, Tuesday the 18th, is still a strong option. The swell drops to 6ft, but the wind turns offshore from the NNE, and the energy is still very strong at 539. The conditions are clean, and this is a much more manageable size for a good session. That Tuesday morning is your standout for a fun, powerful surf without the absolute monster size of Monday.

After that, the swell fades through the rest of the week, with Wednesday the 19th offering small, ordinary waves and the wind picking up again. The last week of the forecast looks like a return to the small, weak, and windy conditions we saw at the start.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a write-off. The only real standout is the 17th and 18th of August. Monday the 17th is for the big-wave chargers and experts only, with glassy conditions and a big swell. Tuesday the 18th is your best bet for a powerful, clean paddle for the more experienced surfer.

Rusty.

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