Galheta Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty here, and we’re looking at a bit of a mixed bag for Galheta over the next couple of weeks. Things are pretty flat and messy to start, but if you’re patient, there are a couple of windows where it could actually be worth paddling out.

We kick off Friday 3rd July with some light rain and a cross-on breeze from the south at 19 mph, pushing around a weak 2ft swell from the ENE at 8 seconds. The combined energy is only 51, so there’s hardly any push. Water temp is sitting at 62°, which is 5° colder than normal for this time of year – that’s a fair bit cooler than usual, so you’ll want a good steamer. Conditions stay poor through the weekend, with small junky waves and onshore winds. Sunday 5th July morning flirts with something – glassy conditions and a light 2ft ENE swell at 10 seconds (energy 55) – but it’s really only surfable in the most ordinary sense.

Monday 6th July is where things start looking up. The morning brings a gentle offshore from the north at 9 mph, with the swell lifting to 4ft from the SSE at 10 seconds. Combined energy jumps to 303 – that’s moderate energy and you’ll feel it. Clean conditions with the offshore wind, and the waves should have a bit of shape with that 10-second interval. It’s a solid intermediate option, though the swell direction is a bit off the optimum SSE for Galheta, so it might not be perfect. Tuesday 7th July turns ugly again with a southerly cross-on, so don’t get too excited.

By Wednesday 8th July, it’s small again – 3ft from the ESE – but early morning has a light cross-off breeze and it’s clean, if weak. Thursday 9th July is similar with a clean offshore from the NNW and 2ft ESE swell. Nothing to write home about, but at least it’s not howling onshore.

Now, here’s the standout. Friday 10th July afternoon – and I mean the afternoon – the wind goes glassy with a light NNW breeze and the swell bumps up to 3ft from the ESE, period stretching to 12 seconds. Combined energy hits 275, and it’s glassy. That 12-second period is a groundswell, so expect longer waits between sets but better shape when they come. This is the first real chance for a clean session.

Saturday 11th July morning is even better. Offshore north wind at 9 mph, swell building to 5ft from the ESE at 11 seconds, and combined energy roaring to 441 (strong energy). The offshore breeze should keep the faces clean, and 5ft is solid for an intermediate. It’s the best of the whole forecast – just be aware that crowds are possible here at Galheta, so get in early.

Sunday 12th July morning is next level: dead calm, glassy, with 4ft from the ESE at 13 seconds. Combined energy is 500 (very strong wave energy). That’s a long-period groundswell, and while it’ll have plenty of power, at a beach break like Galheta those 13-second waves can break a bit straight. Still, with zero wind and a decent size, it’ll be clean and punchy – another highlight.

After that, things fade fast. Monday 13th July and Tuesday 14th July are poor, with small surf and cross-on winds. The combined energy drops to 29 by Tuesday afternoon.

Then, out of nowhere, Wednesday 15th July morning brings a 6ft swell from the south at only 6 seconds – that’s a short-period wind swell, combined energy 343. It’s clean with a light offshore from the NNW, but that 6ft is getting beefy for intermediates, and the 6-second period means it’ll be crumbly and close together. Not a classic, but if you want size, it’s there. Thursday 16th July onward is a flat spell with no real swell until Saturday 18th July afternoon, which has a 2ft from the SE at 12 seconds – too weak to bother with.

So, to sum it up: the best windows are Saturday 11th July morning for that 5ft ESE groundswell with offshore wind, and Sunday 12th July morning for the glassy, powerful 4ft ESE swell. Friday 10th July afternoon is also a solid dark horse with glassy conditions and building swell. Don’t waste your time on the first week – it’s a waiting game. Stay patient.

– Rusty

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