Porto da Cruz Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab your board and let’s talk about Porto da Cruz. I’ve been watching the charts for this stretch, and honestly, it’s a bit of a tough one for us. The first week and a half is looking pretty flat, with the swell barely pushing past 3 feet. The energy is weak too, with values mostly in the low 100s and 50s, meaning there’s just not enough push to make anything decent. The water is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting around 75°, which is a nice thought even if the waves aren’t cooperating.

For the first few days, from Tuesday the 4th through to the 14th, we’re looking at small, wind-swell slop. The wind will be mostly light, but it’s coming from the N to NNE, which is cross-on for Porto da Cruz. That’s going to put a bit of chop on the surface, and with waves that small, it’s going to be a mess. The period is short, mostly under 11 seconds, so there’s no real power behind it. You’ll see the swell direction flip between N and NNW, but it doesn’t matter much when it’s this small. It’s not going to be worth the paddle out. The conditions are pretty clean, but the surf is just poor.

There’s a bit of a bump around the 16th, with the swell picking up to 5 feet on Sunday morning, but it’s still short period and the energy is only moderate. The wind is still cross-on, so it’s not going to be a classic. Then, things start to look a little more interesting on Monday the 17th. The swell bumps up to 5 feet with a slightly longer period of 9 seconds, and the energy jumps to 487 with the morning light cross-shore wind. It’s not huge, but it’s the most promising day we’ve got. The afternoon gets even more energy, hitting 708, which is a big step up. The wind is still a bit cross-on, but it’s a light breeze, so the surface might be ok. This is the standout, but I’d still call it a marginal day. The NE direction isn’t ideal for this spot, which is best with N. It’s not a day for beginners, but an experienced surfer might find a few.

After that, the swell drops back down quickly. The 18th and 19th see the energy falling back to the 200s, and the swell back down to around 3 feet. The wind gets stronger and more cross-on, so it’s back to the choppy, poor conditions. It’s a real shame because the energy on the 17th shows there’s something out there, but it just doesn’t stick around.

So, the honest truth is that this is a stretch where the surf is mostly a no-go. The one day that stands out is Monday the 17th, and even that is a stretch. The rest of the time, you’re better off finding something else to do. The good news is that the energy is there, so it probably won’t stay this poor for long. Forecasts can change, so keep an eye on it.

Rusty

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