Figueira da Foz - Gala Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, it’s Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it. The next few days are pretty flat and ordinary, but we’ve got a proper pulse of energy coming in the last week of July that’s worth keeping an eye on.

Right now, from the 19th through to the 27th, it’s a real struggle. The swell is tiny, mostly under 3 ft, and the wind is onshore or cross-shore most of the time. The combined energy is weak, barely getting into three digits (84 to 179). The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing wild. Honestly, it’s a stretch to call it surfable. There’s a brief moment on the morning of Tuesday the 22nd where it goes glassy, but with only 1 ft of swell and low energy (51), it’s more of a splash-around than a proper session.

Things start to change on the morning of Monday the 28th. The swell lifts to 7 ft from the NW, period a clean 8 seconds, and the energy jumps to 647 – that’s moderate wave energy. The wind is light and cross-offshore from the NNE, so Gala (Figueira da Foz - Gala) should be clean and well-shaped. That’s a solid morning for experienced surfers. The afternoon gets a bit messy with cross-shore winds and a bigger 8 ft swell, but still a lot of power (979).

Now, the standout is Wednesday morning, the 29th of July. This is the one you want to circle. The swell is 8 ft from the NNW, with a long 10-second period, and the combined energy is a massive 1229 – that’s strong wave energy. On top of that, the wind is glassy, dead calm. That’s a recipe for excellent, clean waves for experienced surfers. The direction is a touch north of the optimum W, but with that energy and glass, it’s going to be working. Be aware, though, it’s over 8 ft, so this is not for beginners. The break is a beach and reef, and with this long-period groundswell, the reef might line it up better than the beach. Crowds are possible here, so get there early.

The following morning, Thursday the 30th, is still very good. The swell drops to 6 ft from the NNW, but it’s glassy with an offshore E wind, and the energy is 500 – clean, fun, and more manageable for a wider range of surfers.

After that, the swell fades into the first days of August, dropping back to 3 ft to 4 ft, and the wind turns back to onshore or cross-shore, so the quality goes with it. It’s a short-lived window, but that Wednesday morning is the real deal.

Stay frothy.
Rusty

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