Porto da Cruz Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s on the table.

Right now, we’re stuck in a flat spell. From today, August 9th, all the way through August 17th, there’s nothing worth paddling out for. It’s all small, choppy, and mostly cross-onshore. Swell heights are under 3 ft for days, with weak combined energy (under 100), and even when it tries to build later in that stretch, the quality is still poor. That’s a long stretch of nada.

Things finally wake up around Tuesday, August 18th. Porto da Cruz (Madeira) starts seeing some real size – about 7 ft from the NNE, with a 10-second period and moderate energy (741). The wind is cross-shore and it’s only marginal, but it’s the first sign of life. The water temp is a touch warmer than normal at 77°.

The one to circle is the morning of Wednesday, August 19th. That’s your best bet. We’ve got a clean 6 ft NNE swell, 9-second period, and solid energy (528). The wind goes light cross-offshore from the WNW, and the report says clean. Porto da Cruz is a reef break that’s fairly consistent, and that offshore wind is going to make it smooth. The swell direction (NNE) lines up well with the break’s optimum (N). Just be aware, this spot gets crowded often, so plan accordingly.

After that, Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st still have some size (5 ft to 6 ft), but the wind turns more cross or cross-onshore, and the quality drops back to marginal or poor. The energy hangs around 300–400, but it’s not the same.

From Saturday the 22nd onward, it fades fast. Swell drops under 5 ft, and energy falls off to under 300, then under 100 by the 24th. The last couple days, the 24th, are glassy but tiny – only 2 ft to 2 ft, with very weak energy. Good for a float, not for a ride.

So, mark your calendar for Wednesday morning, August 19th. That’s the one.

- Rusty

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