Porto Batel Surf Forecast and Surf Report

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

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – the next week and a half is pretty grim. We’re looking at a long, flat spell with tiny, wind-affected slop and zero scoring potential. From Friday the 17th right through to the end of July, the waves are just too small and the wind is never in our favour. It’s a real bummer. The water temp is sitting at 66°, which is about average for this time of year, so at least you won’t need a steamer just to sit there.

We finally see some life kicking in on Monday the 28th of July. The swell starts to build, but it’s still a marginal offering – a 5ft swell from the NNW with a short 6-second period, and the cross-off wind from the NNW at 16 mph keeps things clean but not exactly pumping. The combined energy (337) is moderate, but the wave quality is still lacking.

The real standout, the one that gets my blood going, is Wednesday the 29th of July. The morning session is the pick of the whole 16-day window. We’ve got a solid 7ft swell from the NNW with a very long 13-second period – that’s proper groundswell energy. The combined energy is a massive 1398, so there’s plenty of power. The wind is a clean cross-off from the N at 12 mph, which will groom the faces nicely. For a point break like Porto Batel, that long-period swell is a dream, wrapping in and offering up some proper lines. Now, this is getting up there in size – over 8ft for the morning is pushing into expert territory, but if you’ve got the skill, this is the day to be in the water. The afternoon drops off a bit to 4ft, still with a long 12-second period, but the wind picks up to 16 mph, so stick to the morning.

After that, the swell stays big but gets a bit unruly. Thursday the 30th has a 8ft morning swell and a 10ft afternoon blast from the NNW, but the wind is howling at 19 mph, making it a challenging session. By Friday the 31st, we’re looking at an 12ft morning swell with a 9-second period and a much lighter 9 mph cross-off wind – that’s a big, powerful, clean day, but again, strictly for the experienced crew. The combined energy hits 2008 for the morning, which is strong.

Into the first of August, it’s still big. Saturday the 1st has a 10ft swell in the morning, dropping to 8ft in the afternoon, but the wind is cranking at 22 mph in the morning, making it look more like a kite-surfing setup than a pleasurable paddle. The afternoon is a bit more manageable with 19 mph winds.

So, to wrap it up: the first week and a half is a write-off. The best on offer is the morning of Wednesday the 29th of July – that’s your window for clean, powerful, long-period groundswell at the point. The mornings of Friday the 31st and Saturday the 1st of August are also big and clean, but only for the brave. Keep your eyes on that Wednesday, though. That’s the one.

Rusty.

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