Praia Cardoso Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. The long-range charts have been lookin’ a bit ragged for our stretch of coast, but there are a few windows where it’ll be worth paddling out. Right now, the water’s running about average for this time of year, so your normal spring suit will do. We’re looking at a slow start, but the middle of next week has some real potential.

First up, Praia Cardoso. The early part of the run is pretty grim. Wednesday the 5th is flat and messy – a light cross-shore breeze is making a mess of the ankle-biters. Thursday the 6th stays small, with the swell a weak 2ft on the sets. The light offshore early morning will make it look better than it is, but it’s really not worth the hassle with the energy so weak (79).

Then the wind pipes up. Friday the 7th is a write-off. We’ve got a fresh cross-onshore breeze blowing straight into a lumpy, 5ft to 8ft mess, with the period dropping to a short and crumbly 6-8 seconds. The energy does jump up (765), but it’s all for nothing with that wind. That’s a day for finding a sheltered spot or doing something else.

Saturday the 8th gets interesting if you’re keen. The swell drops slightly to 7ft, but the wind swings around to a cross-off. The period jumps to 12 seconds, which means some proper groundswell energy. The wave energy is strong (1324), and the faces should be clean. It’s still on the bigger side, so it’ll be a handful, and the tide needs to be right. Not a day for beginners, that’s for sure. Sunday the 9th and Monday the 10th are messy again with onshore winds and choppy conditions.

Now, here’s the standout. Wednesday the 13th, Thursday morning. The wind goes light and offshore, the sky is cloudy, and the swell direction finally aligns with what this break wants – a clean SSE. Thursday afternoon is the one to circle. The swell holds at 6ft, with a 13-second period – that’s proper groundswell. The wind will be a light offshore, making the faces clean as a whistle. The energy reading is strong (1109), and the waves look like they’ll have some push and shape. This is for experienced surfers, mind you, as it’ll be well overhead. This is the pick of the whole run.

After that, the end of the week and into the weekend sees the swell ease off and the wind become more cross-shore again. The period stays long, but it gets lumpy and unorganized.

The following week has another pulse. Tuesday the 18th, there’s a big swell forecast – 10ft with a period of 9 seconds. The guide says it’s predicted to be too big for this break, and I’d agree. With that kind of size and a bit of short period, it’s going to be closed-out chaos. Only for the bravest and most experienced. The energy is very strong (1600). If that’s too much, Wednesday the 19th has 6ft with a cross-off wind, but by then the quality is on the way out.

So, to sum it up. It’s a rough start, but don’t lose hope. The clear winner is Thursday the 13th – light offshore, solid 6ft (13s) groundswell from the SSE – that’s your best chance for a proper session. Saturday the 8th is a capable second, but it’s bigger and more challenging. The rest is just picking through the scraps.

Rusty.

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