Martinhal Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – if you’re looking for a proper surf, this stretch of the calendar is a tough one. The swell is small and messy for days on end, and the wind, while often offshore, is blowing too hard for the tiny waves to line up. The only real pulse of energy shows up much later, but it comes with its own set of headaches.

So, for the first week and a half, we’re looking at a whole lot of nothing. From Monday the 3rd right through to the end of the following week, there’s just no surf worth paddling out for. The swell is tiny, mostly around 1.0 ft to 2 ft, with weak combined energy (15 to 75). The wind is often offshore, but it’s a fresh breeze that’s just going to flatten out what little bump there is. It’s clean, but there’s nothing to ride. You’d be better off finding a different hobby for a while.

Then, around the second weekend, things start to look a little more promising, but it’s still a mixed bag. On Sunday the 16th, the morning sees a jump in size to 5 ft from the NW, with a moderate combined energy of 266. The wind is cross-off from the NNW at 35 km/h, so it’ll be choppy. That’s a fair bit of punch for a beginner, but for the experienced crew, it could be a bit of a mess. Then Monday the 17th looks a touch better. The morning holds 5 ft from the NW with energy at 277, and the wind is a cross-off from the N at 30 km/h. Still not perfect, but it’s the best on offer. The afternoon picks up to 5 ft from the NW, with energy jumping to 328, but the wind is a stiff cross-off at 40 km/h. That’s a lot of wind for a 5 ft wave, making it difficult to get into and keeping it bumpy. This is more of a kite-surfing setup than a clean paddle session.

The only break we’ve got to look at is Martinhal. It’s a sheltered beginner spot, and it’s inconsistent, so it rarely breaks properly. The water temperature is running at 67°, which is a solid 4° colder than normal for this time of year – a bit of a shock to the system when you first get in.

To be honest, the standout is a weak one, but if you’re desperate, the best chance is Monday the 17th morning. The swell is 5 ft from the NW, which is meaty, and the energy is there (277). The wind is cross-off, so it’s not clean, but it’s the biggest, most consistent pulse we get. It’s a session for the experts only, though – that size and wind combo at a sheltered spot is not for the faint of heart.

Rusty.

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