Porto da Cruz Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what Porto da Cruz has in store for the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, the wind is going to be a pain. For the first week and a half, a persistent north wind is blowing straight onshore, creating a lot of chop and messing up what would otherwise be some decent-sized swell. We’ve got a lot of energy in the water, but it’s going to be a blown-out, frustrating scene for most of it.

The one day that’s a true standout is Tuesday, August 18th. That morning, the wind swings to a light westerly at 3 mph, turning glassy, and by the afternoon it’s dead calm. That’s the kind of condition you dream about. The swell will be 5 ft from the NNE, with a period around 8 to 9 seconds, which makes for a solid, workable wave. The water is a very warm 77° – that’s about 4° warmer than usual, which is a real bonus. The wave energy is moderate (333 in the morning, 315 in the afternoon), so there’s plenty of push. It’s a reef break, and with those glassy conditions, it’s going to be pristine. Be aware, the crowds are listed as "often" here, so you’ll have company.

The rest of that first week is a washout. The wind stays locked in from the north, keeping it rough and choppy. Even with swell between 5 ft and 6 ft, it’s not worth the paddle out.

We hit a lull into the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd. Sunday the 23rd morning goes glassy again, but the swell drops to a tiny 2 ft, and the energy is weak (85). You can get wet, but it’s ordinary.

Looking further out, we get a little flicker of hope on Thursday, August 27th. That morning, the wind is completely calm and glassy again. The swell is back up to 6 ft from the NNE, with a short period of 7 seconds and some strong energy (546). It’s more than a week away, so it’s a promising call, not a sure thing, but the idea of a clean, punchy reef wave at chest-to-head high is a good one. The afternoon looks like it gets a slight cross-shore breeze, so the morning is the session.

So, to sum it up: the first real standout is Tuesday the 18th for a glassy, clean session, and then a hopeful but less certain window on the morning of Thursday the 27th. The rest of the time, you’ll be watching the weather and waiting for the wind to drop.

Rusty.

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