Praia de Faro Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, it’s Rusty here. Let’s talk about the surf outlook for Praia de Faro.

Straight up, I’ve gotta be honest with you – this forecast is a tough one. It’s a long, drawn-out period of flat to near-flat conditions, with barely a ripple that’s worth paddling for. We’re looking at a stretch of 16 days, but the first solid recommendation doesn’t come until the morning of the 1st of August, and even then it’s barely a blip. There’s a massive gap of practically nothing from the 17th of July all the way through to the end of the month.

The water temperature is sitting around 72°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so at least a dip won’t be a shock.

For the first week and a half, the swell is tiny. We’re talking 0.7ft to 1ft from the west or west-southwest, with periods that are mostly short – between 6 and 8 seconds. The wave energy is weak, sitting in the single or low double digits (like 14, 7, 9). The winds are a real mixed bag. Mornings can be glassy or light, but the afternoons get hammered by strong onshore breezes (15 to 22 mph) from the WSW or SW, turning the sea into a mess. The models are calling it “poor surf conditions” every single time, and you can see why. There’s just not enough swell to work with, even when the wind is light.

Around the 27th of July, the Monday afternoon shows a little lift – 2ft of swell from the WNW with a period of 8 seconds, and the wave energy jumps to 68. But the wind is a cross-shore from the NW at 12 mph, creating a chop. It’s still not enough to get excited about.

The 29th of July brings a bit more size, with the Wednesday afternoon pushing 4ft from the WNW, but the period drops to 5 seconds – that’s short-period wind swell, and it’s coming with a fresh cross-onshore wind of 22 mph. That’s lumpy, choppy, and not clean. The energy hits 86, but it’s not surfable quality.

The only real standout – and I use that term loosely – is the morning of the 1st of August. The swell is 1ft from the WSW with a period of 11 seconds, which is a long-period groundswell. The wave energy is 46, and the wind is a gentle cross-off from the NW at 9 mph, keeping the surface clean. For a beginner beach break like Praia de Faro, this is the only time the models say “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” It’s not a classic, but it’s the best we’ve got. The long period means the waves will have a bit more shape and energy, but the small size will keep it mellow. Crowds are possible here – it’s a spot that gets “sometimes” busy.

Bottom line: If you’re a beginner looking for a longboard or a log, you might find a couple of tiny glassy waves on the 1st of August morning. For the rest of the 16 days, it’s a flat spell with a lot of windy afternoons. This is a normal blank run for this area, so don’t be too bummed – forecasts can change.

Rusty.

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