Esposende Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here, looking at the stretch ahead for our little corner of the coast. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, and we’re going to have to be patient and pick our moments. The water’s sitting at around 67°, which is about average for this time of year, so no dramas there.

The next week and a half is looking pretty uninspiring. We're dealing with a lot of junky, short-period swell and less-than-ideal winds. Thursday the 14th and even Friday the 15th are write-offs for the most part. There's some size showing Saturday morning, with 7ft from the NW, but it’s a short 8-second period and the wind is cross-onshore, making it a lumpy, drifty mess. That’s not what we’re after. The early part of next week is even smaller, with most sessions just surfable but very ordinary at best.

You really have to dig deep to find a window. Sunday morning the 16th has a bit of a glimmer. The surf is down to 4ft from the NNW, but the wind swings around to a light cross-offshore from the NE. That should clean it right up. It’s not big, and the 8-second period is a bit short, but it’ll be the most fun you can have for a while. The energy’s weak there too, only 206, so it’ll be a small, clean day. It’s a good one for a longboard and just enjoying being out there. But I’d say the real standout, the one that’s worth waiting for, is Thursday the 27th of August. Morning looks fantastic. The swell is picking up to 4ft from the NW with a 9-second period, and more importantly, the wind is forecast to be a gentle cross-offshore from the SSE. That’s 'expect good surf conditions' written all over it. The energy is moderate, around 407, so there’s a bit of push behind it. It won’t be perfect, but it’ll be clean, and that’s half the battle.

Now, for the long-range promise. We’ve got a proper swell showing for Friday the 28th and Saturday the 29th. Friday morning looks like 7ft from the NW with an 11-second period and light winds. Sizes jump on Saturday morning to a solid 8ft from the NW, with a 13-second period. The energy readings are strong, hitting 2399, so there's a lot of water moving around. But, and it’s a big but, the wind is forecast to be cross-shore and then a strong cross-onshore in the afternoon. This could easily turn into a big, unruly, blown-out mess. The long period also means it’ll be dumping hard and closing out. That’s expert territory for sure at this river break. It’s promising, but with that wind, it’s a gamble. It would be a far better bet if the winds were offshore, but as it stands, it’s likely to be a washing machine.

So, to sum it up, there’s no point getting too excited for the next week and a half. The best bet on offer in the near term is a clean, small wave on Sunday the 16th, and then a much more promising cleaner, bigger day on Thursday the 27th. The big swell at the end of the month is just a tease unless the wind gods smile on us. Keep an eye on it, but don’t book your day off work for it just yet.

Alright, that's the long and short of it. Stay safe out there.

Rusty.

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