Ponto Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s on the menu for Ponto.

We’ve got a long stretch ahead, but I’ll be straight with you – the first week and a half is pretty quiet. The swell is small and the conditions are just marginal at best. It’s not a total write-off, but you’ll be scratching for a wave. The best window is shaping up for the end of July and into the first of August, with a nice pulse of longer-period swell.

Starting off this Sunday morning, the 19th of July, we’ve got a tiny 3ft SW groundswell rolling in with a 17-second period. The wind is offshore and light from the W at 9 mph, so the surface will be clean. But the energy is weak, only about 601 on the combined energy scale. The water is a very warm 73°, which is 6° above normal for this time of year – that’s pretty unusual, so you won’t need a thick suit. The wave comment says “marginal,” and honestly, for a beginner-friendly river mouth like Ponto, it’s gonna be a fun little knee-to-waist high wave, but nothing to write home about.

Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st are more of the same. Offshore winds keep things clean, with swell heights around 3ft to 4ft, still from the SW and SSW. The period stays long, between 15 and 17 seconds, so there’s some shape to it, but the energy is moderate at best (around 600-740). It’s consistent enough for a beginner to get a few, but it’s not a standout.

Wednesday the 22nd sees the wind shift to a light cross-onshore, and the wave comment turns to “poor surf conditions.” I’d give that a miss. Thursday the 23rd brings back offshore winds, but the swell is still only 3ft to 4ft, and the period drops to 13 seconds. The energy is moderate (632-683). Still marginal.

Now, Friday the 24th is interesting. The swell drops to 2ft, but the period jumps to a massive 24 seconds. That’s a very long-period groundswell. The energy is moderate (990). Offshore winds from the SW at 9 mph. This is a tricky one. That long period will make the wave break very straight and closed out at a beach break, but Ponto is a river mouth, so it might just line up a fun, long, peeling wall if the tide is right. For the experienced surfer, it could be a gem. Beginners might struggle with the lack of push and the long lulls between sets.

The weekend of the 26th and 27th is where we start to see a bit more life. Swell builds to 4ft on Sunday morning, 4ft on Monday morning, with periods holding around 18 seconds. The wind is offshore and light. The energy is getting strong, hitting 1057 on Monday morning. This is a solid, clean groundswell. The size is still manageable for intermediates, and the long period means good shape. It’s the best of the first week.

The real standout, though, is the end of the month. On Friday, the 31st of July, we’ve got a 8ft S swell hitting in the afternoon with a 15-second period. The wind is offshore from the WSW at 6 mph. The energy is a massive 2579 – that’s a strong, powerful swell. This is a big one. It’s over 8ft, so this is for experts only. The river mouth will handle that size, but you need to know what you’re doing. The clean, offshore wind will make it glassy. This is the best session on offer.

Following that, Saturday the 1st of August holds 7ft S swell, still offshore, but the period drops to 13 seconds. Still a solid day, but not as clean.

After that, the swell fades fast. Sunday the 2nd and Monday the 3rd are back to small, weak waves with poor conditions.

So, to sum it up: the first week is for the patient or the beginner. The clear standout is the 31st of July – a big, powerful, clean S swell. If you’re an expert, that’s your day. The 27th of July is a good second option for the rest of us.

Rusty out.

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