Carcavelos Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what's in store for the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, we’re looking at a bit of a flat spell right now, no real magic on the cards. The surf we’re seeing is small and the conditions aren't doing us any favours. We've got a long 16-day window here, and it's going to feel like a waiting game.

The best option on the menu, and I mean the only one that really catches the eye, is a brief window at Carcavelos. It's been a struggle, but let’s break it down.

For now, from Tuesday the 7th of July right through to Wednesday morning, the 9th, it’s a total washout. We're talking tiny, gutless waves between 0.6 ft and 1 ft. The energy is weak (20 to 58 combined energy), and while the wind is clear and cross-off, the swell is too small and weak to do anything with. You’d be floating around more than surfing.

Then we get a slight tease on Thursday the 9th of July. The morning bumps up to a 2 ft swell from the WNW with a 10-second period. It’s still a bit weak (58 energy), but it’s surfable, just very ordinary. The wind is light cross-off, keeping the surface clean, but the waves lack any punch.

We see some slightly bigger numbers on Friday the 12th and Saturday the 13th. The swell picks up to 2 ft from the NW, and the combined energy climbs into the low hundreds (135-145). But the winds swing cross-shore, putting a bit of chop on the face. It's not the clean, groomed stuff we want.

Now, the one and only standout comes on Monday morning, July 13th. This is it. We get a 3 ft swell from the NNW, pushing moderate wave energy at 171. The period is a short 8 seconds, but the wind? It’s a dreamy near-calm cross-off from the WNW at just 3 mph. This is the moment where Carcavelos (Portugal) might actually look like its old self. The water is a touch warmer than average at 69°, so that’s a nice bonus. The waves will be clean, but with that short period, it might wall up a bit and close out on the banks. It's an exposed beach, so you’ll know where to sit.

After that, the energy drops off a cliff again. From Tuesday the 14th onwards, we’re back to small, weak surf. The wind stays cross-off at times, but the swell is too inconsistent and weak to get excited about. By the time we hit the 20th, we're looking at 0.6 ft to 1 ft waves with almost no energy, just a bump on the water. The second week is a write-off, with nothing to recommend.

So, to sum it up: If you’ve got a board you want to get wet on, your window is Monday morning, July 13th. It’s not going to be epic, but it’s the cleanest and most powerful we’ll see. The rest of the run is a long, quiet stretch. Tease your mates about it, but don't hold your breath.

Stay patient, boys.

- Rusty

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