Ponta da Fruta Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s on tap for Ponta da Fruta.

First thing I gotta tell you, it’s a pretty quiet start. We’re looking at a solid stretch of flat, bumpy, or just plain messy surf for the first week or so. The water temp is sitting at 73°, which is about normal for this time of year, nothing unusual there.

For the first few days, from Wednesday the 5th right through the weekend, the swell is tiny and the wind is mostly a cross-off from the north and northeast, but it’s too strong to keep things clean. The energy is weak, with combined swell energy readings barely cracking 100 (222 at best on Wednesday morning, dropping to a measly 4 later on). It’s not worth paddling out for.

We get a little glimmer of hope on Monday the 10th morning. The wind swings around to the east-southeast and goes glassy, just 3 mph. The swell is only 1 ft from the SSE, with a period of 14 seconds, giving a combined energy of 91. It’s surfable, but very ordinary. That’s the only real window for a wave in the first week.

Tuesday the 11th and Wednesday the 12th bring a bit more energy (combined energy hits 394 on Tuesday afternoon), but the wind turns cross-on from the south-southwest, making it choppy and messy. Not your friend.

The best window in the whole 16-day outlook starts to shape up on the morning of Thursday the 13th. The wind goes offshore from the north at just 3 mph, with a 2 ft SSE swell, period of 12 seconds, and combined energy of 193. It’s clean, but still small. Not a standout, just a glimmer.

Now, the real standout is Sunday the 16th. The afternoon session looks the best of the whole run. We’ve got a 5 ft SSE swell, period of 14 seconds, and combined energy of 816 – that’s proper energy. The wind is light from the east at 9 mph, making for a gentle cross-shore with a slight cross-chop. It’s not perfect, but it’s the best we’re going to see. The swell is punchy and has some length. This is a reef break, so that long period groundswell (14 seconds) will wrap in nicely. Keep in mind, with that size, it’s getting into intermediate territory; beginners might find it a bit much.

The following week rolls around with some more average conditions. The wind stays cross-off, but the swell drops back to 2 ft to 3 ft, with combined energy in the 200-300 range. The morning of Monday the 17th is clean, but small. The afternoon of the 17th sees a 5 ft swell from the ESE, but with a short period of 7 seconds and a strong breeze from the northeast, it’s going to be a mess. Not for paddling.

Overall, the best call is Sunday the 16th afternoon. It’s the one day with solid energy and manageable wind. The 14th also has a decent swell (3 ft from the SSE, 15 seconds), but the wind is cross, so it won’t be as clean. The 13th morning is clean but small.

This reef break is exposed to the south swell and the optimum direction is from the south. We get that on the 16th. The crowds can be there sometimes, so don’t expect solitude.

So, to wrap it up: sit tight for the first week, then get ready for Sunday the 16th afternoon. That’s your best bet for a proper wave. The rest is just filler.

Rusty.

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