Lajao (Baia dos Golfinhos) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let's break down what's cooking at Lajao over the next couple of weeks. I'll be straight with you, it starts off slow, but there's a day that looks like a real winner.

The first few days are a struggle. From Wednesday the 15th through the end of the first week, we've got a constant cross-off or cross-shore wind from the southeast blowing 12-16 mph, and the swell is coming from the east with short, weak periods around 5-7 seconds. The combined energy is low, mostly under 100 (78) and only just getting into the moderate range (108-154) on Thursday and Friday. Conditions are poor, with scores of zero. It's not worth your time unless you just want to float. The wind is too strong and the swell is too weak and messy.

The weekend of the 18th-19th shows a little improvement. Saturday morning the 18th has a 2 ft east swell at 7 seconds, combined energy hits 250, and the wind is still cross-off but the conditions are clean. The model calls it marginal, giving it a score of 1, so it's a maybe for the dedicated. The swell is still short period, so it won't have much power. Sunday the 19th morning is similar with 2 ft from the ESE and 8 seconds (energy 379), but again, wind is up and there's a risk of thunderstorms. Water temp is about average for the time of year, so no worries about a thick wetsuit.

The real standout, the one you need to mark on your calendar, is Saturday the 25th of July. The morning session looks like the best of the whole forecast. We've got a 2 ft swell from the ESE with a period of 8 seconds, combined energy is a solid 599, and the wind drops to a light breeze, only 6 mph from the southeast, crossing offshore. The model says "expect very good surf conditions" with a score of 3. This is a proper clean, punchy wave at Lajao (Baia dos Golfinhos). The swell direction (ESE) is a good match for the optimum NE direction, so it'll be hitting the reef well. This is definitely the best on offer. The wave energy is moderate to strong (599), so it'll have some push. For a beginner reef break, 2 ft is at the upper limit, so be careful. The wind will be light, so it'll be clean and glassy. Crowds are possible, as the spot is listed as "sometimes" busy, so get there early.

The week leading up to that is a mixed bag. Wednesday the 22nd morning looks clean with a 1.0 ft ESE swell (energy 218, score 2), but it's a small wave. The swell builds again on Thursday the 23rd morning to 2 ft from the ESE at 8 seconds, with strong energy (540) and clean conditions, but the wind is a moderate breeze and the score is only 2, so it's good but not as good as the 25th.

After the 25th, the swell drops off quickly. Sunday the 26th is back to small, weak cross-shore conditions. The 27th and 28th have a minor pulse from the SE (2 ft and 0.9 ft), but the energy is low and the wind is up again. The final days of the month (29th-30th) are flat and poor with tiny 1 ft-1 ft east swells and moderate breezes.

So, to put it simply: the first week is a bust. The second week has a few clean morning windows, but the standout is definitely Saturday the 25th of July. That's the day to go for it. It's a long-range call, so keep an eye on the forecast, but it's looking real good.

Rusty.

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