Mocambique Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s have a look at what’s on offer. The swell window ain’t completely shut, but it’s going to be a bit of a mixed bag with some proper waiting time in between. The only spot in the game here is Mocambique, so keep your eyes peeled on that one.

First up, Sunday the 16th and into Monday the 17th, we’ve got some small-scale ENE swell pushing in around 5.6 ft to 5.9 ft. The period’s only 8 seconds, so it’s short-period windswell – a bit fat and weak. Combined energy is moderate, sitting around 520 on the Sunday. Wind is cross-off from the N-NNE, keeping it pretty clean, but the forecast calls it marginal surf. Not a standout, but a gentle paddle if you’re desperate.

Tuesday the 18th is still hanging around 5.2 ft to 5.6 ft with that same ENE 8-second period. Winds are still cross-off NNE, so it stays clean, but the energy drops into the 300s and 400s. Still not enough to get the heart racing.

Now, from Wednesday the 19th through to Friday the 21st, things go quiet. The wind swings cross-on from the S, and the swell drops to 3.3 ft to 4.6 ft. It’s pretty ordinary, with combined energy as low as 159. The forecast says poor surf conditions, and I ain’t gonna argue. You’re looking at a solid few days of flat, lumpy nothing. You can leave the board in the shed.

Saturday the 22nd sees a shift: new S swell arrives at 5.6 ft with a longer 10-second period, and combined energy jumps back up to 695. The wind is light from the S and ESE, onshore and cross-on, so the surface isn't perfect, but the extra period means more push. It’s still only marginal though.

Sunday the 23rd and Monday the 24th: this is where the chaos starts. On Sunday, we’ve got 6.2 ft S swell at 12 seconds, energy climbing to 985 – that’s a solid punch from moderate to strong. But the wind is cross-on from S to SSE at 9 to 12 mph, so it’s going to be choppy. The forecast says poor conditions. Then Monday the 24th, the swell cranks up to a hefty 9.8 ft from the S, period 11 to 12 seconds. That’s big. The combined energy skyrockets to 2612 – that’s very strong wave energy. But here’s the thing: the wind is cross-on and it’s predicted to be too big for this break. This is big, powerful, and messy. Not for beginners – this is strictly for experienced surfers only, and even then, the onshore wind and size might make it more interesting for kite surfers than a proper paddle session. It’s a wild day, but not a friendly one.

Tuesday the 25th and Wednesday the 26th drop back to 4.9 ft to 5.9 ft S swell at 11 seconds, with light cross-on or onshore winds. Energy still in the moderate 450-768 range. Still very ordinary conditions.

Now, the standout – mark your calendar for Thursday the 27th of August. This is the one. Early morning, the wind goes glassy – absolutely dead calm – and we’ve got a clean 6.2 ft ENE swell at 8 seconds. The combined energy reading is 597, which is moderate but not weak. The forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” That glassy wind is a major positive, it’ll be smooth as silk. The swell is solid at 6.2 ft, best size for an intermediate crew, so you don’t have to be an expert, but it’s a bit much for absolute beginners. The swell direction is ENE, which matches Mocambique’s optimum SE direction pretty well, so the lines should wrap in nicely. It’s your best shot by a fair margin. Only downside is the short 8-second period means the waves won’t have huge power, but with that glass, it’ll be a joy to paddle out.

Friday the 28th still has 6.2 ft ENE swell but the wind picks up to cross-off from the N at 9 to 12 mph. Clean and rideable, but not as sweet as Thursday’s glass. Energy is 473-548, still moderate.

Saturday the 29th is similar, 5.2 ft to 5.6 ft at 9 seconds, with cross-off winds. Still decent.

Sunday the 30th fades a touch – 3.9 ft to 4.6 ft ENE, with light cross-on winds, and the energy drops into the low 300s. Getting small again.

And another little sleeper – Monday the 31st of August morning. Glassy again. 3.9 ft ENE swell at 9 seconds, but the energy reading is 550, which is actually stronger than the bigger wave days because of the better period and direction. The forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” It’s smaller than the 27th – best for logs or fish – but if you’re after clean, glassy fun, that’s your second pick.

Overall, the first chunk of

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