Porto da Cruz Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Gonna be straight with you – it’s a tough run ahead for Porto da Cruz. We’re looking at a solid two-week stretch where the conditions just aren’t playing ball. The first dozen days are a write-off, with nothing but poor surf and cross-onshore winds.

The water temp is sitting at about 76°, which is a touch warmer than average for this time of year, so the water will feel nice even if the waves don’t cooperate.

From Tuesday 1st right through to Sunday 13th September, you are looking at constant cross-onshore winds from the north. Swell heights bounce around from about 3ft to 6ft, but with short, weak periods of 6 to 7 seconds and combined swell energy anywhere from 72 to a moderate 541. The onshore wind just chops everything up. There is no joy here for a surfer.

There’s a glimmer of hope... and I mean a glimmer. On Monday 14th September, the winds finally go light cross-shore from the NNW, and we get a proper groundswell pulse. Swell from the north at 3ft with a period of 13 seconds – that’s a long period, good for a reef break like this. The combined energy is 542, so there's some real push behind it. The forecast still only calls it marginal, with a low score, but compared to the rest of the run, this is the one to watch. That NNW wind direction is cross-shore at Porto da Cruz, so it could clean right up. Just keep expectations in check.

Tuesday 15th morning still has some life left in that longer period swell (12 seconds) and lighter winds, but the size drops to 4ft. After that, it fades out fast.

Don’t waste your time on the rest. Mark that Monday the 14th in your diary as the best – and pretty much only – shot. Keep it on the radar though, because a solid groundswell period like that can surprise you on a reef.

Rusty.

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