Porto da Cruz Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, let's talk about the surf ahead. It's gonna be a bit of a grind, honestly. There's some energy in the water, but the wind is going to be messing with things for most of the run.

Our only spot on the radar is Porto da Cruz. It's a reef break that's going to be dealing with a lot of cross-onshore chop. Water temp is at 77°, which is a touch warmer than average for the season, so you might not need the thickest suit.

The first few days, from Friday the 11th through Sunday the 13th, are pretty much a write-off. We're looking at surf in the 4 to 6 feet range with a weak, short-period NE swell (6-8 seconds) and a persistent north wind making a mess. The combined energy is on the weak to moderate side (263-439). It's just not worth the effort.

Monday the 14th and Tuesday the 15th, the size backs off a lot. We're down to 3 to 4 feet from the ENE, but the wind goes light. Monday morning has a chance with light onshore and a questionable tide – it's marginal, pulling teeth. The energy is weak too (170-377). I'd probably give it a miss unless you're just jonesing for a paddle.

Wednesday the 16th brings a little size back, 4 to 5 feet, but that gusty N wind is right back on it, killing any chance of it being clean. Same story, different day.

Now, things get a little more interesting. Thursday the 17th, the swell bumps up to 6 to 7 feet from the NNE, with the period stretching out to 10 seconds. The energy is a moderate 557-883. But there's a huge "but" – the wind is still howling cross-onshore at 12-15 mph. It's going to be bumpy, lumpy, and challenging. Only for the experienced.

Friday the 18th holds the bigger swell (6 to 6 feet) from the NNE, but the wind goes more cross-shore, which might clean it up slightly. Still not ideal, but the energy is up there (530-655).

We get a bit of a reprieve on the morning of Sunday the 20th. The wind finally drops and swings to a light cross-offshore, leaving the surf clean. The waves will be smaller, around 4 feet from the north with a short 8-second period and weak energy (221). It's a "surfable but very ordinary" situation. For a beach, that short period makes it crumbly, but for a reef, there could be a few fun little walls. It's probably your best bet in that first week, but it's not a standout.

Then we hit a real lull. From the 21st to the 24th, the swell fades out. We're looking at 3 to 4 feet of dribble, with periods dropping back to 6-7 seconds and weak energy. The wind is a constant cross-onshore, keeping it bumpy. A few days of not much.

Now, looking ahead – and this is one to watch – around the 25th and 26th of September, the models are pointing to a long-period NNW groundswell. The period jumps to 14 or 15 seconds, which is proper deep-water juice. On the 25th, the swell is around 3 to 4 feet, with strong energy readings of 650-753. The catch is the wind is still up from the NNE, making it stormy. By the 26th, the swell eases a bit but holds at 3 to 4 feet with that long period.

For a reef like Porto da Cruz, a long-period NNW swell is a good thing – it’ll wrap in and break with more shape and power. That strong energy (603) suggests some punch. But with the onshore wind forecast, it’s still a risk. It's promising, but I wouldn't be locking in plans yet.

So, overall, it's a patchy forecast. The wind is the story for most of it. If you find a clean window, grab it. The one to watch is that last week, but the wind has to cooperate.

Rusty.

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