Farol da Barra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, lookin’ at what’s on the cards for Farol da Barra over the next couple of weeks. Straight up, it’s a bit of a mixed bag – we’re gonna be waiting a while for proper clean waves, but there are a couple of windows that’ll get the heart racing. The water temp is sittin’ at about 79°, which is pretty much what you’d expect for the time of year, so no surprises there. The first few days are a write-off, but hang tight, because from the 8th onwards we start seein’ some glimmers.

Alright, let’s start with what’s not happenin’. From Sunday the 5th right through Tuesday the 7th, it’s all cross-shore or cross-onshore winds, with swell heights between 2 ft and 5 ft but mostly messy. The combined swell energy is low to moderate—just 83 to 303—and every session is marked as poor. No point paddlin’ out for that kind of chop. So yeah, that’s a three-day gap with nothin’ worth chasin’.

Come Wednesday mornin’ the 8th, things finally shift. We get a light offshore wind from the NNW, with a 2 ft SSE groundswell at a lovely 12-second period. The energy’s moderate at 180, and it’s clean. It’s small—beginners might have a go—but it’s the first real chance for a surf. Thursday and Friday mornin’s are a bit more promisin’; Friday the 10th mornin’ sees a 4 ft SE swell with 11-second period, a light cross-off breeze, and clean conditions. Energy climbs to 304, and the forecast says good surf. That’s a solid, surfable session for intermediates.

Now for the standout. Saturday the 11th mornin’ is your pick of the whole outlook. We’ve got a 4 ft SE groundswell at 12 seconds, a light cross-off wind from the NW, and it’s clean. The combined swell energy hits 502—strong energy for sure—and the forecast says very good surf. This is the one to circle. Not too big for most, but with that period, the point break here should line up nicely. Keep in mind, the crowds at Farol da Barra are listed as “sometimes,” so you might have company, but it won’t be a circus.

Sunday the 12th mornin’ is another good one: 3 ft SE swell at 12 seconds, offshore wind from the NNW, clean and with moderate energy at 243. A quieter session for those who want a more relaxed paddle. After that, the swell drops off through the week, with smaller waves and more crosswinds. Monday the 13th mornin’ is clean but ordinary with 3 ft, and Tuesday the 14th mornin’ is tiny at 2 ft but offshore.

There’s a late flash on Wednesday the 15th mornin’—5 ft SSE swell, but the period is only 6 seconds, so it’s short-period wind swell. That makes it messy, and it’s only rated as ordinary. Then we hit a real slump from the 16th through the 18th, with energy droppin’ to as low as 38 and nothin’ but poor conditions. Another gap of about three days with no recommendations.

Finally, on Sunday the 19th mornin’, there’s a bit of a revival. A 2 ft SE swell at 13 seconds—solid groundswell period—with a light cross-off wind from the ENE and clean conditions. Energy’s moderate at 267, and the forecast says good surf. It’s small, but that long period might give it a bit more shape than the height suggests. That’s a promisin’ look for the second week, though it’s a ways off so don’t lock it in just yet. Monday the 20th mornin’ is marginal with a 3 ft SE swell and cross-shore wind.

So overall, the best on offer is that Saturday the 11th mornin’ session—strong swell, clean wind, and a point break that’ll handle that long-period SE groundswell. Friday the 10th mornin’ is a close second. The rest is a lot of waitin’. Stay keen, and keep an eye on the forecast, because things can change.

Rusty.

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