Carcavelos Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s talk about what’s on the table for Carcavelos.

Right now, the outlook is a real mixed bag. The first few days are pretty flat and ordinary, with small, short-period lumps and breezy cross-off winds that keep things messy. The water temp’s sitting about average for this time of year – nothing unusual there. The first real glimmer of hope comes Saturday the 15th August, but there’s a catch. The swell jumps up to a solid 8 ft from the NNW with moderate energy (947), and the winds are cross-off. That’s a clean look, but this break is beginner-friendly and at that size it’s gonna be too big and powerful for most. It’s really only for the experienced crew. The period is short, only 8 seconds, so it’ll be a bit lumpy and fat, not a classic groundswell.

Sunday the 16th August morning is the standout of the first week. You’ve got 8 ft NNW swell with moderate-strong energy (997), and the wind is a light northerly at just 3 mph, making for clean, glassy conditions. That’s a beautiful combo – clean surf and some heft to it, but again, that size is pushing it for the regular punter. Monday the 17th August morning carries that goodness with 7 ft and *glass* conditions – wind is calm, easterly at 3 mph. The waves will be clean and lined up, though the period’s still short at 9 seconds. It’s still in that ‘too big for beginners’ zone. If you’re advanced and can handle it, Monday morning is your pick.

After that, the surf drops off fast. Tuesday the 18th through the rest of the week turns marginal – smaller swell, onshore or cross-onshore winds mushing things up. Not worth chasing. There’s a gap of several days where it’s just poor surf and honest conditions.

Then, into the second week, things get promising again. Tuesday the 25th August morning sees a nice clean-up: 6 ft from the WNW with a 9-second period (481 energy) and a light NNW cross-off breeze. That’s solid, surfable waves for intermediate and above – no longer too big, and the wind will groom it nicely. The swell direction is right in the wheelhouse for Carcavelos, which likes WNW. That morning is the highlight of the entire 16 days – good size, clean, and the break will handle it well.

Crowds are often an issue here, so expect company on the good days. The break is fairly consistent, so when it’s on, it’s on.

Bottom line: This week is for confident surfers only on a couple of mornings, but come Tuesday the 25th August, it’s game on for a much wider crew.

Rusty

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