Ponta Negra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Gutted, folks. I’ve been staring at the charts for Ponta Negra for the next couple of weeks and, to be honest, it’s a bit of a flat, messy story. We’ve got a solid run of onshore and cross-onshore winds that are just going to chop up whatever swell tries to push through. The water temp is sitting at 81°, which is right about where it should be for this time of year, so at least you won’t need a spring suit.

The next 16 days are looking like a write-off for a proper clean session. For the first week and a half, from the 14th through to the 24th, we are looking at a constant battle with those ESE and SE winds blowing 12 to 19 mph. The swell is there, but it’s messy. It’s mostly short-period windswell, under 8 seconds, with chest-high sets at best. The energy readings are all over the place, but mostly in that moderate range, with a few pulses like 459 on the 16th, but it’s all wasted by the wind. It’s choppy, lumpy, and just plain ugly out there. Not the kind of conditions you paddle out for.

There’s a bit of a breather towards the end of the run. From the 22nd, the wind actually swings around to more of an onshore direction from the ESE, which is the optimum direction for this spot, and the wind state goes a bit more “unknown” rather than “choppy,” which might mean it’s cleaner. The swell also gets a touch more consistent, with the period pushing up to 8 seconds and some 5ft to 5ft sets showing up on the 23rd, 25th, and into the 26th. The energy picks up too, sitting in the 280 to 311 range. So, by Monday the 25th and Tuesday the 26th, there might be some slightly more rideable, but still soft, waves. But even then, the wind is still moderate, so it won't be glassy.

I’m not going to lie, there’s no standout day here. It’s just a long stretch of below-par conditions. A couple of those late-period mornings, especially the 26th and 27th, where the wind is more on than cross-on, might be your best bet for a few crumbly waves. But this is a beginner-friendly beach break, and with the swell staying around 5ft, it’s not going to be out of control. But you’ll be surfing for the love of it, not for the quality.

If we don’t see an improvement by then, it might be a better time to dig out the kiteboard, because for paddle surfing, this stretch looks pretty grim.

Anyway, that’s the long and short of it. Keep an eye on it, but don’t hold your breath.

Rusty.

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