Cardoso Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s have a look at what’s on offer here at Cardoso. The next couple of weeks are a mixed bag, with a long flat or poor stretch right at the start, then some real spice coming in the second week. Patience is the name of the game.

The first few days are a write-off, honestly. Sunday the 2nd and Monday the 3rd have small, weak swell around 3ft to 4ft from the ENE, but the wind is all over the place – cross, onshore, and just messy. The water temp is sitting at 66°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so no complaints there, but the surf just isn’t there. You’ll be staring at a flat ocean.

Tuesday the 4th morning is the first real glimmer. A shift in swell direction to the south, 4ft at a long 12 seconds, and glassy conditions with light northwesterly winds. The combined energy is moderate at 488, but it’s only a short window. That morning is the pick of the first week, but it’s not a standout. The afternoon turns cross-onshore and messy.

Wednesday the 5th through to the 7th is all small, weak, and chopped up. Swell drops below 3ft, periods shorten, and winds are mostly cross or cross-onshore. Not worth a paddle.

Now, hold onto your board. The second week kicks in with some serious size. Sunday the 9th starts to build, but it’s accompanied by a strong breeze from the SSW at 25 mph and heavy rain. Swell jumps to 5ft, but the energy is already ramping up (1023). That’s not surfable, that’s a washing machine. By the afternoon, it’s 8ft at 13 seconds from the south, energy is a massive 2107, but the wind is still fresh and cross-shore. This is big, lumpy, and only for the brave.

The real standout is Tuesday the 11th. You’ve got a solid 10ft south swell, 12-second period, and the combined energy is a whopping 2743 – that’s strong, powerful stuff. The morning is clean with a light westerly cross-offshore breeze. This is expert territory, and it’s the best wave of the whole forecast. The following morning, Wednesday the 12th, is still excellent for experienced surfers with 7ft and clean conditions, energy at 1346.

After that, the swell eases but stays fun. Thursday the 13th morning has 5ft at 12 seconds, clean, light winds – very good conditions. Friday the 14th morning is similar with 6ft, clean. Saturday the 15th is a real treat: 5ft from the SSE, 10 seconds, and glassy conditions in the afternoon. That’s a great all-rounder day, not too big, clean, and the crowd factor is “sometimes” so you might get a few out, but it won’t be a circus.

The last couple of days, the 16th and 17th, fade back to smaller, weaker swell with increasing wind. Not much to write home about.

So, overall: the first week is mostly a bust. The second week has two heavy standouts – Tuesday the 11th morning for the big, expert-level groundswell, and Saturday the 15th afternoon for the clean, glassy, more manageable size. Get on those if you can handle it.

Rusty.

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