Faja da Areia Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what we’ve got. Faja da Areia is our only spot on the cards, a point break that’s exposed to a NNW swell. It’s an inconsistent little number and only rarely breaks, so when there’s a window, you gotta be on it. The water temp’s sitting around average for this time of year, so nothing wild there – just your standard summer feel.

We start the run on Saturday, the 11th of July, with a bit of swell coming through – around 5 ft to 5 ft from the NW. But the wind is cross-onshore, 6 to 9 mph, and it’s messing it right up. Combined energy’s in the 280–290 range (moderate), but the conditions are poor. Honestly, this one’s a write-off.

Sunday the 12th is a bit of a tease. Swell picks up a touch to 5 ft–5 ft from the NW, period stretching to 9 seconds, and energy hits 397 (moderate). But it’s still cross-shore wind at 6 mph, with light rain on the afternoon. You might get a wave or two, but it’s marginal. I’d give it a miss.

Now, Monday the 13th – here’s a glimmer. Swell drops to 4 ft from the NW, not huge, but look at that wind: glassy. Dead calm or a whisper from the N/NNE at 3 mph. The energy’s dropped to around 150 (weak), but the glassy surface makes it surfable. It ain’t a standout, but it’s the first time you could get a clean little slide. The low period of 8 seconds means it’ll be a bit weak, but for a beginner-friendly point, it’s rideable.

Tuesday the 14th and Wednesday the 15th stay glassy, but the swell’s tiny – only 2 ft. Energy’s under 100 (very weak). You’d need a longboard and a whole lot of patience. Not worth the paddle unless you’re desperate.

Then from Thursday the 16th through to Tuesday the 21st, we get a run of poor to marginal conditions. Wind stays cross-onshore from the NE, 6 to 9 mph, messing up the surface. Swell builds a bit, hitting 8 ft on Saturday the 18th and staying around 8 ft into Sunday. Energy jumps into the 700–800 range (strong). But with that onshore wind and short 8-second period, it’s going to be a choppy, messy closeout. For a point break, 8 ft is doable for experienced surfers, but with the wind the way it is, honestly, this looks more like a kite-surfing set-up than a paddle session.

Finally, we get to the best of the run. Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd of July. Swell settles at 5 ft–6 ft from the NE, period stretches to 9 seconds, and the energy sits around 380–470 (moderate). But the key here is the wind: glassy. A mere 3 mph from the ENE or NE. That’s going to give you clean, open faces. The swell direction is NE, and the optimum for this break is NNW, so it’s slightly off-angle, but with the glassy conditions and consistent energy, this is the clear standout. The size is still safe for beginners, and the longer period (9 seconds) over the 11-second mark means it’s a groundswell with a bit of shape. Wednesday morning looks like the pick of the two days.

After that, Friday the 24th stays okay but gets a bit cross-shore, and into the weekend it fades away, dropping below 4 ft on the 26th. That last Sunday the 26th morning is glassy again but only 4 ft and weak energy.

So, overall: the first week is a slow burn with a few glassy but small windows. The real standout is Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd of July – glassy, clean, and a solid 5 ft–6 ft NE swell at Faja da Areia. If you can wait it out, that’s where the magic’s at.

Rusty.

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