Estaleiro Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for us over the next couple of weeks.

It’s a bit of a slow start, but there’s a real window of quality opening up mid-period, and a heavy-duty pulse of swell right at the end for the experts. We’re looking at Esterleiro Reef, a standout reef break that requires a bit of know-how. This spot is inconsistent, so when it turns on, it’s worth making the trip. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, nothing wild there.

First up, we’ve got a stretch of flat and messy days through the end of August and into the start of September. Saturday the 29th through Monday the 31st August is mostly poor – onshore winds, rain, and weak little wind swells. Not worth paddling out. There’s a tiny glimmer Monday afternoon with a clean, cross-off breeze, but the waves are only around 4 ft and the energy is just moderate (228). It’s surfable, but nothing to get excited about.

Tuesday the 1st September morning sees a lighter, cleaner window with offshore wind and 3 ft swell, but again, it’s small and weak. The afternoon blows out.

Now, Wednesday the 2nd September morning is where it starts to get interesting. That’s the first real standout. We get glassy conditions, proper offshore wind, and a 5 ft swell from the SE with a solid 11-second period. That’s good groundswell energy. The combined energy is strong at (531). For the reef, this could produce some clean, lined-up waves. Get on it early.

Thursday the 3rd September morning is also clean with offshore wind and 4 ft SE swell, but it has less push. Still a fun option if you missed Wednesday. The afternoon goes to chop.

After that, we hit another flat spell. Friday the 4th through to Monday the 7th September is all small, weak, or blown out. A couple of glassy mornings with tiny waves (2 ft to 3 ft) but the swell energy is below 100. That’s barely breaking. Tuesday the 8th and Wednesday the 9th are messy and onshore with longer-period, 12-14 second SE swell, but the conditions are junk.

But hold on. Thursday the 10th September is the big one for those who can handle some size. The morning shows a massive 8 ft ENE swell with a very strong energy reading (1639). This is expert territory, and even then, the forecast notes it might actually be too big for this break. The wind is light and cross-shore though. If you’re a seasoned charger, this is the session to watch, but be smart. The afternoon drops to 7 ft and goes glassy – much more manageable, but still a solid, powerful swell with good energy (950). This is a highlight for the experienced crew.

Friday the 11th September cleans up nicely with offshore winds and 5 ft ENE swell. Good energy (496), clean conditions. That’s a solid day for intermediates.

From Saturday the 12th onward, the wind turns onshore again and the swell drops back. The last little window is Sunday the 13th September morning: 3 ft E swell with light cross-off wind and a clean surface, but it’s weak (197). Not the grand finale we just had.

So, the pick of the bunch: Wednesday morning the 2nd September for the clean, glassy, mid-period groundswell – that’s the one for a good, fun session. And then Thursday the 10th September for the experts, when the reef gets a serious, powerful swell, especially if you can paddle out in the afternoon when it’s glassy.

Stay safe out there.

- Rusty

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