Foz do Arelho Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab your wetsuit, ‘cause we’re looking at the next couple of weeks, and it’s a bit of a mixed bag. We’re not talking all-time, but there are a couple of windows worth keeping an eye on. Right now, it’s pretty quiet. We’ve got a few days of small, messy waves before things start to clean up.

Right now, the ocean’s in a bit of a mood. For the next few days, it’s small and bumpy, with winds blowing onshore or cross-shore, and the swell is weak. All the surf is poor, and you’d be wasting your time paddling out. It’s like the ocean is just trying to figure out what it wants to do.

But then, on Tuesday, August 4th, we see a little spark. The morning shows a slight wind out of the WSW, making it glassy. The swell is only 3 ft from the WNW with a 9-second period, and the energy is moderate (136). It’s surfable, but honestly, it’s pretty ordinary. You might get a fun little wave at Foz do Arelho, but it’s not going to be a session you write home about.

After that, the ocean goes back to its grumpy self. From Wednesday through the following week, we’ve got a lot of cross-onshore winds, choppy conditions, and poor surf. The swell stays small, and the energy is mostly moderate, but the wind just ruins it. The water temp is 66.6°, which is about average for this time of year, so at least the water’s okay.

Now, here’s where things get interesting. The real standout, the one to circle on your calendar, is Saturday, August 16th. The morning is looking prime. We’ve got a 6.6 ft swell from the NNW with an 8-second period, and the energy is strong (521). The wind is a light cross-offshore out of the SSW, which should keep things clean. This is the one day where the conditions line up. The other slight possibility is the morning before, on August 15th, with a similar 6.6 ft swell, but the wind is a cross-shore and the energy is a bit less (508). It’s okay, but the 16th is the better bet.

But hold on, because right after that, the ocean goes wild. By Monday, August 17th, the swell jumps to a solid 9.8 ft from the NNW with a 9-second period, and the energy is through the roof (1365). That is a lot of water moving. But, the wind is onshore, and the conditions look messy. At this size, it’s going to be a heavy, powerful wave, and it won’t be for the faint of heart. Unless you’re an expert, you’ll want to give that one a miss. At this size, the beach break is going to be a washing machine. If it’s that big and messy, you might be better off kiting than paddling.

So, to sum it up: the first week is pretty much a wash. Get through it, and your reward is that Saturday morning on the 16th. That’s the one to chase. The Sunday before is a possibility, but the wind is a bit iffy. And that final push of swell on the 17th is for experts only. Keep your expectations in check, but don’t write it off entirely.

Stay stoked.

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