Jacaraipe Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty.

Let’s be straight with you. The next couple of weeks are looking pretty grim for a proper surf. We’ve got a lot of junky, short-period wind swell and the winds are mostly going to be working against us. There are a few moments where things might line up, but you’ll have to be patient and pick your windows carefully.

The main break we’re looking at is Jacaraipe (Espírito Santo), a sandbar setup that’s fairly consistent but exposed. Water temp is sitting at 73°F, which is pretty much average for this time of year, so nothing weird going on there.

Starting this Friday morning the 14th, there’s some chest-high energy at 4ft from the SSE with a 14-second period. The combined energy is moderate, at 654. But the wind is a cross-shore from the SSW at 12 mph, which is going to put a chop on it. It’s not looking great, and the score reflects that. Friday afternoon gets a bit bigger at 5ft but the wind swings more southerly and picks up to 16 mph, making it a washing machine. I’d give it a miss.

Saturday the 15th sees the swell bump up to 6ft with a long 14-second period, and the energy jumps to 1225, which is solid. The problem is the light rain and an onshore wind in the morning, though it’s only 6 mph. It’s cross-on in the arvo at the same speed. It’s marginal, but this is probably the most powerful swell of the first week. Still, that long period groundswell can make a sandbar break like this a bit straight and tricky. With the wind being light, it might be the pick of a bad bunch, but I wouldn’t be super keen.

Sunday the 16th, the swell drops right back to 4ft and the period shortens to 12 seconds. The wind is light but onshore, and the energy is weak-moderate at 649. It’s not really worth getting wet for.

Then we hit a real dry spell. From Monday the 17th all the way through to the 23rd, the period drops to 7 seconds – that’s pure windswell – and the winds are mostly cross-onshore or just messy. The combined energy stays in the low to mid hundreds, which is weak. There’s a window on Tuesday the 18th morning with a cross-offshore wind, making it clean, but the swell is only 4ft of short-period junk. It’s surfable but very ordinary. The afternoons are all blown out. This stretch is a write-off for any quality waves.

The 24th of August, a Monday morning, looks interesting. The wind goes glassy, dead calm from the NNE, and it’s a rare moment of clean conditions. The swell is 4ft but still that short 7-second period. The energy is weak at 130. It’ll be small and a bit soft, but glassy conditions at a sandbar can make it fun for a beginner on a foamie. It’s about the only time you’ll see a clean face.

Tuesday the 25th morning has a bit more size, 5ft from the NE, and a cross-offshore wind, so it looks clean. The energy is moderate at 447, but the period is still only 7 seconds. It’ll be a bit bumpy and lack power, but it’s the best compromise between size and clean conditions we’ve had in a week. The afternoon gets smashed by a 22 mph cross-onshore, so that’s done.

The 26th and 27th are more of the same – short period, onshore winds in the arvo, and nothing worth planning around.

Now, here’s the one standout in the whole run. On Friday the 28th of August, the morning session looks like it could be the pick of the entire fortnight. The wind goes glassy again, the swell is a solid 5ft from the NE, and the energy is moderate at 303. The period is still short, but that glassy wind is a huge positive, and it’s the only time the rating gets a “good surf conditions” tag. This is the one to circle on the calendar. Be there early, because the afternoon wind is going to ruin it again.

The 29th sees the swell drop right back to 2ft with a longer 14-second period, but the energy is weak and the winds are fresh and cross-shore. Not worth the paddle.

So, in short: the first week is mostly poor. The second week has a few mornings with clean-ish conditions, but only Friday the 28th morning at Jacaraipe looks like it’s actually going to offer something decent. For the rest, you’re chasing small, weak, wind-affected slop. If the wind forecasts shift, things could change, but as it stands, be patient and wait for that one glassy morning.

Catch you in the water.

Rusty

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