Estaleiro Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. Rusty here, looking at the setup for Estaleiro Reef over the next couple of weeks. Fair warning: this one’s a slow burner. There’s a long stretch of pretty ordinary conditions before we get anything that’ll get the heart racing.

For the first week, from Wednesday the 5th through to about Tuesday the 12th of August, it’s mostly small, weak waves and onshore or cross-off winds that just don’t do this spot any favours. The odd clean window pops up, like Wednesday afternoon with glassy conditions and a 2ft swell from the ENE, but the period is short at 7 seconds and the combined swell energy is weak (84). It’s surfable but nothing to write home about. Thursday the 6th and Friday the 7th are similar – small, short-period swells with combined energy under 100. Friday arvo sees the wind swing SE at 12 mph, cross-on, and the surf goes to crap.

Now, Saturday the 8th of August is where we get a little spark. A long-period SE groundswell rolls in, 14 seconds, and while the swell height is only 2-3ft, the combined energy jumps to 251 in the morning and 332 in the afternoon. Winds are light and cross-off or calm. This is the standout for the first week – clean, long lines at a reef break where that long period really suits. Crowds are possible here, so keep an eye out.

From Sunday the 9th through Wednesday the 12th, it’s pretty grim. Consistent cross-on winds from the south and southeast, chop building, and the combined swell energy is moderate (up to 430) but the quality is poor – mostly messy and unappealing. The swell period drops back or stays cross-onshore, and even though there’s some energy, it’s not a paddle surfer’s friend.

We get another clean window on Thursday the 13th of August, with a new ENE swell pushing 4-4ft, 7-second period, and offshore WNW winds around 6 mph. Combined energy is moderate (210). It’s head-high-ish clean waves, but still a short period. Let’s call it a fun session, not a classic.

Friday the 14th turns ugly again – swell bumping up to 6ft from the SE but with strong cross-on winds, so it’ll be a washout.

The real highlight of the entire outlook lands on Tuesday the 18th and Wednesday the 19th of August. On Tuesday the 18th, we get a solid 5-6ft ENE swell with an 8 to 9-second period. The wind swings offshore – W at 16 mph in the morning, NW at 12 mph in the afternoon – and the combined energy is moderate to strong (307 and 554). The morning is good, the afternoon is genuinely very good. Clean, moderate offshore wind, surfable size for experienced intermediates. Wednesday the 19th keeps that quality going with a 5ft ENE swell, 9-second period, and lighter offshore winds from the W at 9 mph. Combined energy is 391. This is clean, punchy reef surf. The swell direction is ENE, which matches the optimum direction for this break (ESE is close enough for this setup). This is the one to aim for.

After that, Thursday the 20th sees the swell drop to 3ft and the winds shift, so the quality fades.

A couple of quick notes: the water temp is 66° on the morning of the 5th, which is about average for the time of year. The reef at Estaleiro is exposed to swell but inconsistent, so you gotta pick your windows. For the standouts – Saturday the 8th and Tuesday/Wednesday the 18th/19th – the combination of clean winds, decent swell, and good period makes it worth the wait. The 6ft stuff on the 14th is no good with that wind. And at over 5ft, the bigger days are getting a bit much for beginners, so the 4-5ft windows are the sweet spot.

Rusty.

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