Surf Forecasts:
Picao (Baia Formosa) surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 9s period, ESE swell with 789 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period with ESE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Picao (Baia Formosa) this week:
The surf forecast for Picao (Baia Formosa) over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.6m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 10s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Picao (Baia Formosa) in the next 16 days are 2.3m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 9PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (-03) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Picao (Baia Formosa) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – this stretch of coastline is going through a flat spell with a side of tricky wind. We’ve got a whole lot of nothing to start, so don’t get your hopes up for a quick fix.
The first week is a write-off for anything decent. The swell is weak and coming from a not-ideal ESE direction, with cross-off winds that are just messy enough to keep things ordinary. From Friday the 17th right through to the end of the following week, the wave energy is low (mostly between 191 and 643 on the energy scale, but the quality just isn't there). The water is sitting at 81°F – pretty normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t need a spring suit.
Things start to look a little more interesting around Tuesday the 22nd and Wednesday the 23rd of July, but even then it’s only marginal. The swell bumps up slightly to 5ft to 6ft from the east, still short period around 8 seconds, so it’s not going to hold any shape. Crowds are possible at Picao (Baia Formosa), but honestly, with conditions that poor, you’ll likely have the place to yourself.
Now, the one standout in this whole 16-day window comes way out at the end. On the 31st of July and into the 1st of August, we see a longer period swell start to show up. Friday morning the 31st, the swell is only 2ft but the period jumps to 16 seconds – that’s a proper groundswell. The energy kicks up to 669 by Saturday afternoon the 1st of August. The direction swings to the ESE, which is a little closer to the optimum for Picao (NE). The wind stays cross-off, so it’ll be clean. This is your best bet, but it’s a long way out and forecasts can change, so keep an eye on it.
For the rest of the time, if you’re really desperate, there’s a tiny window on the morning of Friday the 24th of July where the swell is only 3ft and the wind is light at 6 mph, with the waves described as “surfable but very ordinary.” It’s not going to get your heart racing.
Honestly, this is a tough run. The swell is small, the winds are never fully offshore, and the best wave of the fortnight is a long-range promise. For now, leave the boards at home and wait for the next chart to update.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 41mm), heaviest during Sat morning. Warm (max 26°C on Fri morning, min 23°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 62mm), heaviest during Tue morning. Warm (max 26°C on Mon morning, min 23°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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) | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 154 | 256 | 208 | 346 | 511 | 463 | 348 | 303 | 475 | 567 | 326 | 738 | 334 | 302 | 500 | 213 | 234 | 200 | 114 | 196 | 187 |
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-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:35PM2.13m | 6:48AM2.28m | 7:19PM2.03m | 7:34AM2.12m | 8:04PM1.92m | 8:22AM1.94m | 8:53PM1.80m | 9:16AM1.76m | 9:48PM1.70m | 10:20AM1.62m | 10:53PM1.63m | 11:35AM1.55m | 00:03AM1.63m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:23PM0.06m | 00:33AM0.28m | 1:08PM0.20m | 1:19AM0.39m | 1:52PM0.36m | 2:08AM0.51m | 2:39PM0.52m | 3:03AM0.63m | 3:33PM0.65m | 4:08AM0.70m | 4:36PM0.74m | 5:21AM0.72m | 5:46PM0.77m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | |  |  | | | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — |
 | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — |
mm | 2 | 4 | 12 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 2 | — | 6 |
Temp °C | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 |
Feels °C | 24 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 10 | NE 8 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | NE 8 | E 8 | NE 9 | NNE 9 | E 8 | SE 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 |
| kJ | 8 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 231 | 251 | 3 | 386 | 3 | 8 | 264 | 83 | 234 | 200 | 114 | 196 | 187 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 8 | N 10 | NE 7 | N 11 | N 10 | N 9 | NE 9 | N 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | NNE 9 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | ESE 9 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 |
| kJ | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 70 | 6 | 6 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | N 11 | — | — | N 9 | N 11 | NE 8 | N 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 9 | N 8 | NNE 8 | N 8 | N 9 |
| kJ | 4 | 6 | 5 | 2 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 8 | ESE 8 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 154 | 256 | 208 | 346 | 511 | 463 | 348 | 303 | 475 | 567 | 326 | 738 | 334 | 302 | 500 | 213 | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1118 | 1564 | 1564 | 1118 | 1118 | 1564 | 1564 | 1564 | 1564 | 1479 | 1564 | 69 | 979 | 1586 | 979 | 833 | 1997 | 0 | 831 | 2014 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Rio Grande Do Norte | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Brazil | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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