Praia Grande Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s be straight up: the next couple of weeks at Praia Grande are looking pretty grim for a proper surf. The swell is on the small side most days, the wind is stuck in a cross-shore or cross-onshore groove, and it’s just not cleaning up. You’re gonna have to be patient if you wanna get wet.

From Thursday 6 August right through to early on Sunday 16 August, it’s all zero scores. We’ve got a consistent run of poor surf conditions, with swell heights hanging between 2 ft and 6 ft, mostly from the NNW. Periods are short, mostly 5 to 9 seconds, so no real grunt behind ’em. The winds are fresh to moderate breezes from the N or NNW, all cross-shore, leaving a lumpy cross-chop that’s just not inviting. The combined swell energy sits in the weak to low-moderate range, like 71 to 361, nothing to get excited about. Honestly, if the wind drops or swings offshore we might see something, but right now it’s a write-off.

Sunday 16 August afternoon stays poor, still cross-shore winds and lumpy conditions. Monday 17 August is more of the same: fresh breeze, cross-shore, 3 ft to 4 ft, period around 8 seconds. The energy creeps up a little but the quality isn’t there. Tuesday 18 August sees the swell jump to 8 ft (morning) and 7 ft (afternoon), both from the NW with a period of 8 to 9 seconds. That’s a solid jump in size – combined energy hits 729 and 723 – but the wind is still cross-shore in the morning, then cross-onshore and choppy in the arvo. That’s getting a bit too big for beginners, and with the chop it’s messy. Probably more appealing for kite surfing than paddle surfing right then.

Now, Wednesday 19 August is the only glimmer in this whole outlook. The morning session: clear skies, light breeze from the N at 6 mph, cross-shore but light enough to be just small ripples. Swell is 7 ft from the NNW, period 9 seconds, with combined energy of 704. That’s a moderate-to-strong energy level. The break is Praia Grande, an exposed beach break that’s consistent, and the optimum direction is NW – this is close enough. The score is only a 2 out of 10, called “marginal” due to questionable tide conditions. But compared to everything else, this is the standout. It’s still gonna be big – over 7 ft so only for experienced surfers – and with a moderate period it’ll be powerful but not too clean. Water temp is about average for this time of year – no anomaly flagged. Crowds are possible (sometimes), so you might have company. If you’re an expert and can work the tide, this is your best shot. The afternoon turns cross-onshore again and drops off.

After that, from Thursday 20 August onward, it’s back to poor conditions with smaller 3 ft to 4 ft NNW swell and moderate cross-shore winds. Not worth paddling out.

So in short: be patient. The whole 16-day window is a bust except for Wednesday morning 19 August, which is promising but comes with a caution on the tide and size. For the rest, it’s a waiting game. Forecasts can change, but right now, don’t hold your breath.

Rusty.

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