Praia Cardoso Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s shaping up.

The next week and a half has a bit of everything at Praia Cardoso, but the real standout mornings are going to be glassy, clean, and lined up. The swell’s gonna be mostly from the south, with a mix of short period windswell and some longer period groundswell later on. The first few days are a write-off, but we’ll get into it soon enough.

We start off Sunday, September 6th, with a solid 10ft SSW swell but the wind is howling cross-onshore at 25 mph, making it a complete mess. The wave energy is strong, around 1202, but it’s not for surfing. That afternoon isn’t much better. Monday morning, September 7th, is where things turn. The swell drops to 6ft from the south, period hits 10 seconds, and the wind swings light and cross-offshore. That’s clean, fun surf with moderate energy (615) – a proper morning session for the confident intermediate.

Tuesday the 8th is a solid option too, with a slightly smaller 5ft SSE swell, clean under a gentle cross-off breeze. The energy is moderate (369) and it’ll be a cruisy, user-friendly wave. By Wednesday the 9th, the swell eases right down to 3ft from the south, but the wind is glassy – totally calm – and the period pushes to 12 seconds. That’s a long period groundswell, so expect longer lulls but cleaner, more lined-up waves. The energy is light-moderate (323), but the conditions are prime.

Thursday the 10th is another glassy morning, with 3ft south swell and 12-second period. The energy jumps a bit to 531, and the water’s about average for this time of year, nothing unusual. This is a top pick for the week. A long period, glassy, clean, and not too crowded. The best of the first week.

The weekend of the 12th and 13th sees a jump in size but the wind turns nasty again. Saturday morning the 12th is a flicker of hope with 5ft SSE and clean conditions, but the wind goes onshore and strong by afternoon, with an 8ft SE swell and 1099 energy – too lumpy. Sunday the 13th is a full-on stormy sea with 10ft swell and 1989 energy, strong cross-onshore wind. Kite surfers might be into it, but for paddle surfing it’s a no-go.

The real standout of the whole forecast is Monday, September 14th. The morning has a huge 10ft ESE swell, 11-second period, and the combined energy is a massive 4832 – very strong. The wind is moderate cross-shore, and the report says wind and tide are favorable, but the swell is too big for this break. This is for experts only, and even then, it’s pushing the limits. The afternoon drops to 8ft, still big, but cleaner cross-off wind. This is a heavy, powerful day.

The next standout is Wednesday, September 16th morning. The swell drops to 4ft from the south, period a short 8 seconds, but the wind is light cross-off and the energy is moderate (522). The conditions are clean and very good – a solid, safe morning for the weekend warriors.

Thursday, September 17th morning is another glassy one, with 4ft south swell, 10-second period, and energy around 380. Clean, calm, and easy – a good one for a paddle. After that, the last few days of the forecast are smaller with a south swell hanging around, but the wind stays mostly light or cross-off, so the quality remains decent for a small wave slide.

Best on offer: Thursday, September 10th morning – glassy, 3ft, 12-second south swell, perfect conditions. And Monday, September 14th morning for the big wave chargers – 10ft, 11-second ESE swell, but it’s massive and only for the experienced.

Stay stoked, check the tides, and don’t be late.

Rusty

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