Carcavelos Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, checking in with a look at the sixteen-day surf window for Carcavelos.

Honestly, the first week or so is a bit of a write-off for quality waves. We've got a messy mix of onshore winds and weak, short-period swell making a mess of things. The water temp is sitting at 68°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year.

The real gem in this whole forecast, and the only thing I'd genuinely get excited about, lands on the morning of Friday, August 28th. It’s a standout. We’re looking at a solid 7 ft groundswell rolling in from the WNW with a very long 11-second period. That means proper energy, with the combined swell energy hitting a hefty 1063 – that’s strong stuff. But the best part is the wind: it’s dead glassy, a light 3 mph easterly offshore breeze. That’s going to make the lineup perfectly clean. Now, this is a fairly consistent beachbreak that’s exposed to the swell, but for a beginner-oriented spot, 7 ft is getting into big territory, so it’s more for the experienced crew in the lineup that morning. Crowds are often an issue here, but that early glass-off window with that much power? Worth the paddle out.

After that, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. The end of August and start of September see the wind mostly cross-off from the north, which keeps things clean, but the surf quality just isn’t there. September 1st morning has a similar setup to the 28th – big 7 ft WNW swell and favorable wind – but with a shorter 8-second period, it won't have the same grunt or shape. It’s another one that looks too big for this break, so again, experts only, but a bit less promising.

A mention for the morning of Thursday, September 3rd – the swell drops back to a more manageable 5 ft, but with glassy conditions again from a light north breeze. It’s a small step-up in quality, but nothing that blows the roof off.

For the mornings of Saturday, September 5th and Sunday, September 6th – we get another pulse of long-period groundswell. The 5th has a 6 ft NW swell with an 11-second period, and the 6th has a 8 ft NNW swell with a 10-second period. The combined energy on the 6th is massive at 1702. But the forecast notes the wind and tide are favorable while also saying the swell might be too big for this break. It’s a promising long-range hint, but not as solid as that Friday morning setup.

So, calling it as I see it: The absolute best on offer is the glassy, powerful Friday, August 28th morning. Get on it if you can. There are a few other days with potential, but nothing matches that combination of big groundswell and perfect wind.

Rusty.

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