Porto Batel Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer for Porto Batel.

First up, the water is sitting at 68°, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year – nothing unusual there.

Honestly, the start of this period is a bit of a struggle. From Monday the 20th through to Friday the 24th of July, it’s pretty grim. We’ve got small, weak swell with periods under 8 seconds and poor surf conditions. The combined swell energy is weak, sitting between 46 and 154 (low energy). The wind is mostly cross or choppy, so it’s not worth paddling out. You’re looking at a solid 5-day gap with nothing worth recommending.

Things start to get interesting on Saturday the 25th of July. The swell picks up to 6ft from the NW, with a period of 7 seconds, and the energy jumps to 336 (moderate). The wind is cross-off and clean, but the swell is still a bit jumbled and marginal. Sunday the 26th is similar, with a bit more size (7ft to 7ft) and energy up to 548 (moderate), but it’s still only marginal.

Now, the standout window arrives on Monday the 27th of July. Porto Batel turns on. The morning session is the pick of the whole outlook. We’ve got a clean 6ft swell from the NNW, period 8 seconds, and the wind is offshore and light – 10 km/h – making for glassy, clean conditions. The combined energy is 661 (strong), and the forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” This is the one to circle. The afternoon goes a bit cross-shore, but the morning is pure gold.

Through the rest of the week, there’s still plenty of swell around, but the wind gets messy with onshore and cross-onshore conditions until Thursday the 30th of July. That morning, the swell is 7ft from the NNW, period 9 seconds, energy hitting 802 (strong), but it’s a touch cross-on, so it’ll be a bit bumpy.

And then, Friday the 31st of July – this is the big one. The swell hits 10ft from the NNW, period 9 seconds, with combined energy screaming up to 1260 (very strong). The wind is cross-off, 15 km/h, and conditions are clean. This is excellent surf, but it’s only for experienced surfers – 10ft is big, no place for beginners. The afternoon is still solid at 10ft, just a touch more wind.

The first few days of August keep the swell alive, with 6ft to 8ft and clean cross-off winds, but the energy drops back to moderate. It’s rideable, but nothing beats that Monday morning of the 27th or the big Friday the 31st.

So, the best on offer: Monday 27th July morning for clean, head-high fun, and Friday 31st July for a big, powerful swell for the experienced crew. Porto Batel is a point break, fairly consistent, and it can get a crowd sometimes, so keep an eye out.

Rusty, signing off.

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