Praia Cardoso Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab your board and let’s have a look at what Praia Cardoso is cooking up for us over the next couple of weeks.

First up, Monday the 6th of July starts with some promise. We’ve got a clean, 2ft swell rolling in from the SSE with a long 18-second period – that’s proper groundswell energy. The water is sitting at 60°, but let me tell you, that’s a whopping 6° colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a decent spring suit. The wind is a light cross-off from the north, keeping the surface glassy. The combined energy is a solid 678, so there’s plenty of push for a beginner-friendly spot. It’s a fairly consistent break, but it can get crowded sometimes. Later that afternoon, the wind swings onshore and the quality drops right off.

Tuesday the 7th is a write-off. The swell bumps up to 6ft but with a short, weak 7-second period and messy cross-shore winds. Don’t bother paddling out.

Wednesday the 8th is a good call. Morning brings a light offshore from the NW, with a clean 4ft swell from the SSW (9 seconds). The afternoon holds up even better – 5ft, 11-second period, and a clean cross-off wind from the NE. The energy sits around 510-618, so it’s punchy but not heavy. That’s a solid day for the intermediate crew.

Thursday the 9th is smaller, around 3-3ft from the ESE with clean conditions, but the energy drops to 216-261. Still fun on a longboard if you’re keen.

Friday the 10th is average at best. Small and clean in the morning, but the wind goes onshore later. Not worth a special trip.

Saturday the 11th shows a fun little pulse: 5ft from the ESE with a long 13-second period. It’ll be clean with a cross-off wind, but the morning has rain showers. Energy is cranked up to 697, so there’s some grunt. It’s just “marginal” according to the numbers, but a clean 5ft groundswell at a break like this will still turn on some fun ones.

Sunday the 12th gets tricky. The morning is 4ft from the SSE, decent, but by afternoon the swell jumps to 8ft from the SSW with only 8 seconds – that’s short-period, lumpy, and cross-onshore. The energy hits 1296, but the quality is poor. This one is for experienced locals only if you’re brave.

Monday the 13th through Tuesday the 14th is a complete mess. Strong winds – 19 to 28 mph – and choppy, lumpy conditions. Stay out of the water.

Wednesday the 15th is tiny. Just 2ft, clean in the morning with an offshore wind, but there’s barely any energy (128). Not worth rushing.

Now, Thursday the 16th of July is the standout of this whole outlook. The morning is glassy – dead calm – with a 8ft swell from the SSW. The afternoon pushes it to 8ft with a clean cross-off breeze. Period is short at 8-9 seconds, so it’s a windswell mix, but the energy is 677-937. This is big for Praia Cardoso. It’s best for experienced surfers; beginners should sit this one out.

Friday the 17th is still big – 7 to 8ft from the S, with a long 13-second period (proper groundswell). The combined energy is massive – 1550 to 1751 – but the wind is cross to cross-onshore, so it won’t be perfect. Still, if you’re an expert and can handle some chop, there’ll be some heavy moments. Just be aware: that long-period S swell might break a bit straight on the beach.

Saturday the 18th morning is glassy again. The swell drops to 5ft from the S, clean, with 12-second period and 684 energy. That’s a nice reset.

Sunday the 19th drops further, 4ft, and then Monday the 20th we see a tail end of clean, small swell around 3 to 3ft from the S with very long 14-15 second periods. Energy is 405-426. It’s clean and rideable on the right board.

The rest of the outlook into Tuesday the 21st shows 5ft from the S but with onshore winds again, so it’s nothing special.

Best on offer: Thursday the 16th of July takes the crown. That 8-8ft SSW swell with glassy to clean cross-off wind is the pick. Just remember it’s big – not one for beginners. The water is way colder than average for July, so suit up properly.

Rusty.

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