Praia da Falésia Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at what's cookin' at Praia da Falesia. The water's sitting at 68°, which is a bit colder than we'd expect for this time of year – about 3° cooler than average, so you might want to zip up that spring suit.

Right off the bat, the first couple of days are pretty grim. Monday the 24th is a write-off with a strong 12-16 mph cross-onshore wind ripping up a 6 ft swell. The wave energy's moderate but messy (797), and the sets are short, so don't bother paddling out. Tuesday morning the 25th sees the wind finally drop to glassy conditions with a slight air. The swell drops to a tiny 3 ft from the west, with weak energy (93), but that clean, smooth ocean makes for some fun little rollers if you just want to get wet.

The rest of the week stays small and mostly choppy. Thursday the 27th has a little bump to 3 ft but the wind goes cross-on again, so it's all chop. Then we get a glimmer—Friday morning the 28th. The swell picks up to 4 ft from the west with a long period of 11 seconds, delivering moderate energy (319). The wind is light and cross-offshore out of the NNW, and the ocean cleans right up. This is the standout of the first week. It's not huge, but the clean face and that groundswell energy will give you some proper, lined-up waves. It's a breakwater, so it can handle that longer period nicely. Crowds are *sometimes* an issue here, so get out early for the best of it.

After that, the swell dies again. Saturday and Sunday are tiny and onshore, not worth a mention. Then we've got a real drought. Monday the 31st through Friday the 5th of September is a dead zone of flat, gutless ripples and onshore breezes. The ocean goes quiet, with combined energy barely breaking 50 in the mornings. There's just nothing to work with.

Hold on though—Saturday the 6th of September afternoon shows some promise with a 3 ft westerly swell going 12 seconds (381). The wind is cross-offshore and moderate, and it's clean. It's a marginal call, but if you're desperate, it's the best thing on offer that day.

But the real standout, the one to circle on your calendar, is Monday the 7th of September. Morning sees a solid 6 ft groundswell from the west with a very long 18-second interval. The combined energy is very strong (2284). With a light, clean cross-offshore breeze from the NNW, this is going to be exceptional. The water will be clean, and that long period will reel down the breakwater like a freight train. This is one for the experienced crowd—heading towards 7 ft out of the west, it’s not for beginners. Be aware: the afternoon goes to shit with a cross-onshore wind, so your window is the morning.

Overall, the picks are Friday morning the 28th for a clean, fun session, and Monday morning the 7th of September for the quality groundswell. The rest of the 16 days is mostly flat or chopped out.

Rusty.

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