
Surf Forecasts:
Picao (Baia Formosa) surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 14 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period, ESE swell with 288 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s period with E 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 Monday (Sep 14) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m 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 1.6m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) 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 0.2m 15s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (-03) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 9PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Picao (Baia Formosa) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. I’ve run the numbers for Picao (Baia Formosa), and I’m not gonna mess around: this entire 16-day stretch is a total washout for surf. Every day comes back as "poor surf conditions" with a zero score. There’s no hidden gem here. The surf simply isn’t on.
It starts Saturday September 12th with ankle-to-knee-high, short-period windswell from the east, running about 3 to 4 feet, with a period under 8 seconds. The combined energy is weak to moderate at best. The wind is a moderate cross to cross-off breeze from the east-southeast at 12 to 15 mph, which keeps the surface okay but the swell is just gutless. Water temp is about 81°, which is a touch over a degree warmer than usual for this time of year.
That same pattern hangs around for days. Into the second week, around the 19th, we get a little bump in energy, but it’s still the same short-period, wind-affected east swell. Then by the 23rd and 24th, the period finally stretches out to 12 or 13 seconds – that’s proper groundswell – but the height drops to only about 2 feet. Too small to even bother with. The energy stays moderate, and the wave shape never comes together.
If you’re a kiter, you might have some fun with that steady east wind and the open reef exposure. For a surfer? Forget it. The wind does swing to a clean cross-off on a few mornings – like the 18th and the 24th – but with no swell to match, it’s a tease. It’s one of those rare, quiet runs this area can see. Forecasts can always flip, but as it stands, we’re looking at a long gap with nothing to ride.
This is Rusty, telling you to wait for the next one.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sat afternoon, min 24°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Tue afternoon, min 24°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 7 | E 7 | ESE 7 | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 7 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
183 | 178 | 191 | 163 | 103 | 108 | 149 | 94 | 71 | 100 | 76 | 80 | 71 | 92 | 126 | 112 | 98 | 130 | 116 | 123 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 4:51PM2.30m | 5:07AM2.35m | 5:25PM2.22m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:54PM0.09m | 11:15AM0.11m | 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 | ||||||||
— | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:11 | — | — | 5:11 | — | — | 5:11 | — | — | |
5:16 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 5 |
Temp °C | 27 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 26 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 10 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | NNE 10 | SE 9 | SE 8 | NNE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 12 | NE 9 | NE 8 | SE 10 | NE 12 | SE 10 | ESE 10 |
25 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 28 | 18 | 9 | 19 | 18 | 8 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 27 | 6 | 25 | 38 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | N 13 | N 13 | NNE 9 | NNE 10 | NE 12 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NE 11 | NE 8 | NE 8 | ESE 12 | ESE 10 | NE 12 | NE 13 | NNE 8 | — | NE 12 | NNE 11 |
12 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 17 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 6 | — | 6 | 11 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | S 16 | N 9 | N 9 | S 13 | NE 12 | N 12 | N 15 | NE 11 | N 13 | NE 10 | SE 13 | NNE 10 | NE 10 | E 11 | E 11 | N 13 | S 14 | N 10 | N 15 |
5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 14 | 2 | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | E 7 | ESE 7 | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 7 |
183 | 178 | 191 | 163 | 103 | 108 | 149 | 94 | 71 | 100 | 76 | 80 | 71 | 92 | 126 | 112 | 98 | 130 | 116 | 123 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1586 | 1479 | 820 | 1653 | 1653 | 1564 | 1564 | 1019 | 1564 | 1564 | 345 | 830 | 1653 | 1653 | 1627 | 1627 | 1627 | 1613 | 1564 | 1564 |
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.










