Estaleiro Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Estaleiro Reef over the next couple weeks. I’m not gonna lie, the start is real quiet – you’re looking at a solid gap of a few days with absolutely nothing worth paddling out for. Sunday the 9th and Monday the 10th are a write-off: 2ft to 4ft of sloppy, cross-on wind chop, and the combined wave energy is weak to moderate (207 to 287). Just leave the boards in the car.

The first real glimmer of hope shows up Tuesday afternoon, 11th August. We get a light cross-off breeze and a clean-up with 3ft of SE swell, period around 13 seconds – that’s a proper groundswell, meaning better shape and longer lulls between sets. Combined energy sits at 242 (moderate). It’s inconsistent here at Estaleiro Reef, so don’t expect a party, but the window is opening.

Wednesday the 12th is where it gets good. Morning is glassy – full glass – with 3ft of SE swell at 12 seconds, and the combined energy is 220 (moderate). That’s clean, lined-up reef riding. Then Wednesday afternoon the wind goes offshore from the WNW, keeping it clean. Thursday morning the 13th is the true standout of the first week. Offshore WNW wind at 3 mph, 3ft of swell, but the period jumps to 15 seconds – that’s very long period groundswell. Combined energy bumps up to 370 (moderate). This is Estaleiro at its best: that long period will wrap into the reef beautifully, giving steep, hollow walls. It’s inconsistent, so you might have to wait for sets, but the quality will be there. Keep in mind, crowds are sometimes an issue here, so get in early.

Friday 14th and Saturday 15th morning still have some clean windows, but the energy and wind aren’t as perfect. Saturday the 15th morning has a glassy 4ft from the ESE at 9 seconds – short period, but with no wind, it’ll be fun for a grovel.

Sunday the 16th morning is another glass-off, 4ft ESE at 8 seconds. The water temp is sitting about average for the time of year at 67°.

Moving into the second week, things get a little more interesting but less certain. Monday the 17th morning sees clean 5ft E swell with a cross-off NW breeze. Not huge, but clean. Tuesday the 18th morning has 5ft E swell at 9 seconds – combined energy hits 432 (moderate), but the wind goes cross, so it’ll be a bit bumpy. That’s getting into intermediate-only territory size-wise for a reef.

The next real highlight pops up Wednesday the 19th morning: clean, cross-off wind with 4ft E swell at 9 seconds. Combined energy is 317 (moderate). It won’t be epic, but it’s surfable and tidy.

From Friday the 21st onward, the forecast gets messy and unreliable. A big pulse of 6ft SSE swell shows up Friday afternoon, but it’s accompanied by 15 mph onshore wind and combined energy of 716 (strong), which is going to be a washing machine – honestly, that’s more of a kiteboarding setup than a paddle session. Saturday the 22nd is a write-off with heavy rain and strong cross-onshore wind.

There is one last flicker on Monday the 24th morning: a glassy 5ft SSE swell at a short 7 seconds, with combined energy of 329 (moderate). That could be a fun, clean end to the run if conditions hold.

To sum it up: the best on offer is Thursday morning, 13th August, with that long 15-second groundswell and offshore wind. Second best is the glassy Wednesday the 12th. Everything else is a gamble or too small. Keep an eye on the forecasts, because things can change, but for now, pencil in those two sessions.

Rusty.

Read more