Porto da Cruz Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, checkin’ in from the coast. Look, I’ve gotta be straight with you—this run of forecasts for Porto da Cruz is a proper tester. We’re lookin’ at a 16-day window, and the first real surf recommendation doesn’t show up until Wednesday, 29 July. That’s a solid two-week gap with nothin’ but poor surf conditions and onshore wind. The swell doesn’t really get its act together until the last few days, and even then, it’s a lot of cross-on wind messing things up.

Let’s break it down: from Wednesday, 15 July right through to Tuesday, 28 July, forecast after forecast shows poor surf conditions. The wind is mostly cross-on from the north, with speeds climbing from 3 mph up to 12 mph. Swell heights are underwhelming—mostly under 3 ft early on, and even when they push above 3 ft, the period is short (4 to 6 seconds), so there’s no real power. The combined wave energy stays weak, with triple-digit values only appearing after 21 July, but it’s still not enough to overcome the messy wind. The water temperature is 74°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, but that’s small comfort when the waves are sloppy.

The only bright spot—and I mean the only one—is that tiny window around Wednesday, 29 July. Wednesday morning and afternoon both show glassy conditions, with the wind dropping to 3 mph from the NE and ENE. The swell jumps to 5 ft from the NNE, with a period of 8 seconds and combined energy of 228 and 233 (moderate). The description says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions,” so it’s not gonna light your world on fire, but it’s the best we’ve got. The water’s still that touch warmer than normal, so at least the paddle’s comfortable.

If you’re a beginner, 5 ft is fine, but the period is average—not too short, not too long. It’s a reef break, and it’s fairly consistent, but crowds are often there, so expect company. The optimum swell direction is from the N, and we’re gettin’ NNE, which is close enough to do the job. The wind is offshore in the morning, goin’ glassy, so the faces will be clean. Thursday, 30 July, the wind swings onshore again, so that Wednesday window is your only real chance before the end of the forecast period.

Overall, this is a lean run. If you’re desperate, paddle out Wednesday, 29 July. Otherwise, wait for the next forecast to change—it tends not to stay this poor for long.

Rusty.

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