Ilha Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Howdy, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what Ilha has cooking over the next couple weeks.

This is a reef break that’s open to the swell, and the water’s running at 71°, which is a touch warmer than average for the time of year – nothing wild, just a little above the norm.

First real chance is Saturday the 29th of August. Morning brings a clean, light cross-off breeze from the north with 3ft of ESE swell and combined energy at a weak 79. Not big, but rideable and clean. The afternoon turns offshore from the northwest at 15 km/h, with the swell dropping to 2ft and energy at 53 – best wind combo of the day, even if the waves are small.

Sunday the 30th and Monday the 31st are duds – poor conditions, tiny swell, onshore or glassy with nothing to work with. Tuesday the 1st of September morning shows a little life again: clean offshore from the NNW, 3ft from the south at a short 5-second period, weak energy of 63. Ordinary but clean.

Wednesday the 2nd of September gets some size – 5ft in the morning and 6ft in the afternoon – but it’s a moderate cross-onshore and choppy. Energy jumps to 236 and then 608, so there’s plenty of power, but it’s messy. That setup looks more interesting for kites than paddle surfing.

Then the real standout window opens. Thursday the 3rd of September morning: glassy, 4ft of SSE groundswell with a 9-second period, combined energy of 255 – moderate but clean, and the forecast calls it “good surf conditions.” This is the best session of the whole run. The ideal swell direction is SE, and we’re close with SSE. Crowds are just sometimes here, so expect a few mates but nothing packed.

Friday the 4th of September morning is also glassy with 3ft SSE swell, 10-second period, energy of 181 – a solid cruiser session after Thursday’s peak.

From there it turns patchy. Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th of September are mostly onshore or weak. Monday the 7th of September has a big pulse – 6ft from the south at 11 seconds, combined energy of 910 – strong, but the wind is a moderate cross-onshore and choppy, so it’s a pass for quality.

Thursday the 10th of September morning is another clean window: glassy, 3ft ESE swell, 8-second period, energy of 206, and “good surf conditions.” Worth a paddle if you’re around. After that, it’s small and weak or onshore right through to Sunday the 13th of September.

The one to circle on the calendar is Thursday the 3rd of September morning – glassy, chest-to-head-high SSE groundswell, clean, and the best combo of size and wind. The backup is Thursday the 10th of September morning for a smaller glassy session.

Rusty.

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