Guarda do Embau Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on the menu for Guarda do Embau this stretch. We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag ahead, but there are a couple of windows that are gonna make it worth wetting the line.

First up, the vibe. The water temp is sitting right around 66°F, which is just about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there. The river mouth here is exposed to the swell, and we’re looking at a mostly SE direction, which is a bit off the mark from the preferred SE swell direction. That means the breaks aren’t always going to line up perfectly, but when the wind plays nice, it’s on.

We’re starting off with a slow roll. Tuesday and Wednesday this week are just meh. The swell is there, but the wind is messy, and the energy is weak to moderate. You’re looking at a 4ft to 7ft swell, but it’s short period, around 8-10 seconds, and the wind is cross or cross-on, so expect chop. Not worth getting excited about.

Now, let’s skip ahead to the real standouts. Sunday, the 6th of September, things get interesting. We’ve got a solid 8ft swell from the south, but here’s the catch – it’s short period (8 seconds) and the wind is a moderate cross-shore, so it’s going to be a bit of a battle. The combined energy jumps to 1420 (strong), so there’s plenty of push, but it’s a messy power. This one is for the stronger paddlers and experts only; it’s too big for beginners. The cross-chop is going to make it a challenge, but if you’re hungry, you’ll find something.

The real gem, the one that’s got me stoked, is looking at Wednesday the 9th of September. Wednesday morning at Guarda do Embau is our pick. We’ve got a glassy morning – that’s right, glassy – with a light SSW breeze. The swell is a modest 3ft from the SSE, but the period is a lovely 12 seconds, and the combined energy is a solid 514 (moderate). That’s a clean, long-period groundswell. Now, this spot is a river mouth, so long-period swells can sometimes make it a bit too straight, but the glassy conditions and the light wind will make it look like a postcard. The waves will be clean, with longer gaps between sets, making the paddle out easier. This is the perfect session for a beginner to intermediate surfer, as the size is safe and the conditions are pristine. Crowds are possible here, so get there early.

After that, the next bright spot is Friday the 11th of September. Another glassy morning, this time with a WNW breeze. The swell is 6ft from the east, with a 9-second period, and the energy is moderate (516). It’s a bit bigger than the 9th, but still clean. A solid option for a fun paddle.

Then we’ve got another glassy morning on Sunday the 13th of September. A 6ft south swell, 9-second period, with a light SSW wind. The energy is up to 886 (moderate-strong). This one has a bit more punch, but it’s clean. Again, a good session for those who can handle a little more size.

The rest of the period is a bit of a write-off. The wind gets nasty, the swell drops off, or the period is too short. The second week is mostly a mix of cross-on winds and poor quality, so you’re going to be chasing those few clean windows.

So, to sum it up: Wednesday the 9th of September morning is the absolute standout – glassy, clean, and friendly. Friday the 11th morning and Sunday the 13th morning are your next best bets. And for the big wave chargers, Sunday the 6th morning is the one for a raw, powerful session.

Stay patient, and watch the wind.

Rusty.

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