Surf Forecasts:
Picao (Baia Formosa) surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 15 Sep, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period, ESE swell with 215 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Picao (Baia Formosa) this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Picao (Baia Formosa) in the next 16 days are 1.3m 8s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (-03) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Picao (Baia Formosa) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let's be real. Picao (Baia Formosa) is the only game in town, and it's a tough one to love for the next couple of weeks. We're looking at a long stretch of poor surf, with short-period, weak swell and cross-shore winds messing things up.
From Monday the 14th through Wednesday the 16th, it's pretty flat. Waves are around 3 to 4 feet at best, but the period is only 5 to 8 seconds, so there's no push. It's mushy, weak and just not worth getting wet for.
We get a little more size from Thursday the 17th through the weekend, with waves in the 4 to 5 foot range. But again, it's short period and a bit lumpy. Friday the 18th has the most size at 5 feet, but a fresh breeze and cross-chop will make it messy. Saturday and Sunday are your best bet for a quick, clean-ish session, with cross-off winds keeping the surface a bit tidier. The wave energy is moderate, but nothing to write home about.
Now, if you want the pick of the bunch, it's Monday the 22nd and Tuesday the 23rd. The swell actually gets a bit more consistent and the period stretches out to 8 seconds. We're seeing 4 to 4.5 feet from the ESE, with cross-off winds in the morning. It’s not epic, but it’s the most organized and cleanest the surf will be. This is your window if you want a proper wave on this reef.
After that, it completely fades. The 24th and 25th drop right off, down to 2 feet or less. The period gets longer, but there's just no energy behind it.
The final weekend, the 26th and 27th, picks up a little, back to 4 feet or so, but it’s with cross-onshore winds and a choppy surface. Not worth the hassle.
So here's the deal. This is a poor run of surf. Picao is a reef that wants longer period swell from the NE, and we're getting the opposite. There are a few cleaner moments around the 21st and 22nd, but nothing that stands out as truly good. For beginners, the swell stays mostly under 5 feet, so it's not too big, but the quality is poor. For everyone else, you're going to be frustrated. And on the 26th and 27th, with the cross-onshore wind and chop, it might be more fun kiting than surfing.
Keep your expectations low and maybe use this time to do some repairs on your board. It’ll come back around.
Stay salty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Mon morning, min 24°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 25°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | ||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | E 7 | E 6 | E 5 | E 6 | E 7 | E 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 106 | 133 | 106 | 88 | 123 | 127 | 65 | 58 | 69 | 107 | 104 | 97 | 140 | 184 | 176 | 154 | 203 | 181 | 147 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:42AM2.20m | 5:58PM2.11m | 6:18AM2.01m | 6:32PM1.96m | 6:55AM1.81m | 7:09PM1.80m | 7:39AM1.62m | 7:55PM1.64m | 8:39AM1.47m | 9:03PM1.52m | 10:14AM1.39m | 10:43PM1.49m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:29PM0.16m | 11:47AM0.24m | 00:05AM0.27m | 12:20PM0.40m | 00:42AM0.41m | 12:55PM0.56m | 1:25AM0.56m | 1:37PM0.72m | 2:21AM0.71m | 2:40PM0.86m | 3:51AM0.80m | 4:24PM0.92m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | | |
 | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:11 | — | — | 5:11 | — | — | 5:11 | — | — | 5:11 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | 1 | 2 |
Temp °C | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 26 |
Feels °C | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | NNE 10 | NNE 10 | SE 8 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 12 | NE 9 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 12 | NE 12 | ESE 10 | NNE 10 | NE 10 | ESE 10 |
| kJ | 19 | 9 | 9 | 18 | 8 | 8 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 35 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 14 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 4 | 10 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 9 | NE 12 | NE 12 | NNE 9 | NE 11 | NE 11 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ESE 12 | NNE 10 | NE 12 | NE 13 | NE 13 | N 16 | N 16 | NNE 11 | N 14 | NE 14 | NE 10 |
| kJ | 17 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 4 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 12 | N 12 | — | N 14 | N 13 | NE 10 | ESE 13 | NE 8 | NE 9 | N 9 | E 11 | S 11 | N 12 | SSE 10 | N 15 | N 11 | N 14 | NE 13 |
| kJ | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | 4 | 4 | 4 | 17 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 4 | 9 | 15 | 7 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | E 7 | E 6 | E 5 | E 6 | E 7 | E 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 |
| kJ | 106 | 133 | 106 | 88 | 123 | 127 | 65 | 58 | 69 | 107 | 104 | 97 | 140 | 184 | 176 | 154 | 203 | 181 | 147 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1019 | 1564 | 1564 | 69 | 820 | 1564 | 216 | 833 | 1653 | 1653 | 1653 | 1653 | 1653 | 1564 | 1586 | 1586 | 2034 | 1586 | 1002 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Rio Grande Do Norte | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Brazil | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Picao (Baia Formosa) Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Picao (Baia Formosa) provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Picao (Baia Formosa) can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Picao (Baia Formosa) surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Picao (Baia Formosa)) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Picao (Baia Formosa) may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Picao is 12 km (7 miles) from Canguaretama. If you plan a holiday in Rio Grande Do Norte, look for hotels and other accommodation in Canguaretama. Canguaretama has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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