Jardim Atlantico Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, this is Rusty. Look, I’ve got to be straight with you – the next couple of weeks are pretty lean for Jardim Atlantico. It’s not a total write-off, but you’ll need patience and a low bar for what’s rideable. The main issue is a persistent small, short-period easterly windswell that just doesn’t have the grunt to make anything exciting. The energy stays weak for ages, only briefly climbing to moderate levels, and most of the time the wind is on it, making things messy. There’s a long gap with nothing worth paddling for, so don’t hold your breath.

Right now and through the end of July, it’s flat as a tack. We’re talking tiny 2ft to 2ft waves with a period of just 7 seconds – basically the ocean is a washing machine. The combined wave energy sits in the weak zone (around 45 to 56), and the wind is mostly onshore or cross-shore, so it’s all chop and no shape. Tuesday morning the 28th goes glassy, but the swell is still pitiful. Nothing to get wet for.

Heading into the first week of August, we finally see a bump. Friday the 31st of July morning kicks off a slight increase, with 3ft easterly swell and the energy cracking triple digits at 109, but the period is still a short 7 seconds and the wind is cross-shore. The afternoon gets a bit more size at 4ft and 122 energy, but it’s onshore. Saturday the 1st of August stays similar but drops back to weak energy.

Now, Sunday the 2nd of August is where the swell actually comes up – 4ft to 5ft from the east, 7-second period, and the energy jumps to 257-258, so there’s definitely more water moving. But – and it’s a big but – the wind is onshore, so the surface will be choppy, and the data still calls it “poor surf conditions.” This is a classic case of more swell but no quality. For a beginner spot like Jardim Atlantico, 5ft starts pushing the limits, but with that onshore wind, it’s going to be a messy closeout. Honestly, it looks more interesting for kite surfing than a clean paddle session.

Monday the 3rd of August morning offers the first real glimmer: 4ft east swell, 8-second period, energy at 168, and glassy conditions. That’s the best the wind has been in days. The data says “surfable but very ordinary,” and I’d call that a 1 out of 10, but with complete calm, it’ll be clean. The afternoon goes cross-onshore and choppy though, so grab that window if you’re desperate. Tuesday the 4th stays similar but onshore again.

Wednesday the 5th of August morning is another standout window – 4ft east swell, 8-second period, good energy at 232, and glassy conditions. The data actually calls for “good surf conditions,” which is the only time in the whole run we see that phrase. The wind is calm, and the wave state is glassy. This is the absolute best on offer, hands down. It’s not epic, but for a place that’s been flat and choppy for so long, a clean 4ft wave with moderate energy is a rare treat. Expect it to be clean but not powerful – the period is only 8 seconds so it’s a windswell, not a groundswell, so waves will be a bit soft and sectiony.

From Thursday the 6th through to Monday the 10th of August, we get a slow bleed. The swell hangs around 4ft to 4ft, energy stays moderate (165-232), and the period stays at 8 seconds, but the wind is mostly onshore or cross-shore. There are a few glassy patches – the 7th and 8th of August mornings both go calm – but the surf is still rated as very ordinary or marginal. It’s surfable, but nothing to pump up.

The water temp is sitting at 78°F, and the anomaly is just +0.5°F, so it’s pretty average for late July, no surprises there.

So, the only real session to aim for is Wednesday the 5th of August morning – glassy, 4ft, moderate energy. Get there early before the afternoon onshore kicks in.

Stay keen,
Rusty

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