Ponta do Cacao Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s talk about what we’ve got on the cards.

First up, Ponta do Cacao. This advanced reef break is exposed to the east, and it’s a fairly consistent spot, but crowds are possible. The water temperature is sitting at 74°, which is about average for this time of year – nothing unusual there.

The opening stretch starts on Wednesday the 15th of July with a 6ft SE swell, but it’s a bit of a washout with cross-shore winds. The combined energy is moderate at 669, but the quality isn't there yet. Things really turn the corner on Thursday the 16th. Thursday morning we get glassy conditions with that same 6ft SE swell, and the wave energy is still moderate (633). Then Thursday afternoon the wind swings offshore from the ENE, cleaning things up nicely with a 5ft SE swell. This is the first real standout – clean, offshore, and decent size.

Friday the 17th keeps it rolling with offshore breezes in the morning, a 5ft SE swell, and cleaner conditions. The energy is still moderate (488). Saturday the 18th offers more clean surf, with the morning showing a 3ft SE swell and the afternoon picking up a 5ft E swell with offshore winds. The energy dips a bit (347 in the morning) but it’s still surfable.

From Sunday the 19th through Tuesday the 21st, we’re looking at consistent 4ft to 5ft E swell with mostly offshore winds. The energy stays in the moderate range. It’s solid, workable surf but nothing mind-blowing. The crowds might be a factor, so keep that in mind.

Now, we hit a rough patch. From Wednesday the 22nd of July all the way through to Sunday the 26th, the quality falls off a cliff. Winds get messy, swell drops off, and the conditions are pretty ordinary. There’s a long gap of several days with no real recommendations. On the 24th, the swell literally drops to just 0.7ft with a fresh offshore breeze – not worth paddling out.

But hold on. The second week brings a new pulse. On Monday the 27th of July, we get glassy conditions in the morning with a 4ft SSE swell and a long 12-second period. The energy is moderate (382). Tuesday the 28th is the big standout for the whole outlook: a 4ft SSE groundswell with a very long 16-second period, combined with light offshore winds. The energy jumps to a strong 833. This is a true highlight – proper long-period groundswell with clean winds. But remember, with that very long period, this reef break will shine. It might be a bit too lined-up for a beach break, but here it’ll produce some proper, powerful waves. This is the one to circle on your calendar.

By Wednesday the 29th and Thursday the 30th, the swell is still there but the winds get stronger, making conditions more marginal. Thursday the 30th morning still offers a clean 5ft SSE swell with moderate energy (646), but the afternoon gets blown out with cross-onshore winds.

So, the best bets: definitely Thursday the 16th for the clean offshore conditions, and Tuesday the 28th for that long-period groundswell. Don’t sleep on that second one – it’s promising, but remember it’s in the second week, so keep an eye on the forecasts as we get closer.

Stay stoked.

Rusty.

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