Cordoama Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’re looking at Cordoama on the western Algarve.

First things first, the water is sitting at 69°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Right now, we’ve got a bit of a wait on our hands. The first week is a write-off. From the 20th through to the 25th, it’s a mess – small swell, mostly around 2ft to 3ft and a nasty cross-onshore or onshore wind from the NNW. The energy is gutless, with figures like 56 and 69 in the early days. It’s just poor, choppy, and not worth paddling out for. Even when the swell bumps up to 5ft on the 25th, that onshore wind is still ruining it.

The 26th of July starts to get interesting for the wrong reasons. The swell jumps to 6ft from the NNW (combined energy 458), but it’s still lumpy and cross-onshore. The swell period is only 8 seconds, so it’s a messy windswell.

Then things start to turn. The 27th and 28th of July are where you want to keep an eye. The swell drops back to a more manageable 4ft to 4ft from the NNW, but the key change is the wind. On the 28th, we get a clean, cross-offshore breeze from the ESE at 12 mph. The period stretches to 9 seconds, giving the waves some proper shape. The combined energy is a solid 206 – it’s not huge, but it’s clean. This is the best window in the first week.

The 29th of July morning is even better for the wind: a light offshore from the SSE at 6 mph. The swell is 3ft from the NNW, period 9 seconds, energy 189. It’s not a classic, but it’s surfable and clean. The afternoon goes glassy with a light WSW breeze, but the waves drop off.

Now, for the true standout. You need to wait for Friday, the 31st of July. The morning session is the one. We’re seeing a solid 7ft swell from the NNW (energy 783), with a gentle 9 mph cross-onshore from the north. The comment says the wind and tide are favorable, but the swell is predicted to be too big for this break. At 7ft, that’s expert territory, especially for a beach break. The period is 9 seconds, so it’s got some punch. This is the best on offer, but it’s for experienced surfers only. Crowds are possible at Cordoama, so expect company if you’re game.

The first week of August looks messy again. The 1st through the 4th is a mix of lumpy, choppy conditions with onshore winds and energy levels dropping back into the 200-600 range. The 3rd of August has a big 7ft swell with a combined energy of 1141, but it’s fresh cross-onshore and lumpy – not a good look for a paddle.

So, to sum it up: if you’re a beginner, stay home. The 28th and 29th of July mornings are your best bet for a clean, manageable wave. For the experts, circle the 31st of July morning – it’s big, it’s powerful, and it’s the only real standout in the whole 16 days.

Rusty.

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