Praia da Barra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Praia da Barra.

This is a sandbar set-up that rarely breaks, so we’re not exactly spoiled for choice here. The first real chance of anything surfable doesn’t even show until Saturday the 12th of September, and even then it’s pretty ordinary. So, we’re sitting through a few days of nothing before we get a sniff.

Thursday the 10th is a write-off – marginal surf at best, with a moderate cross-onshore chopping things up. Friday the 11th is even worse, just small, weak junk.

Then on Saturday morning the 12th, we finally get something. A tiny 2ft swell from the WNW (period 10 seconds) creeps in, and with the wind going glassy from the SE, it’s clean. But it’s tiny, and the combined swell energy is only 151 – weak. It’s surfable, but barely.

Sunday morning the 13th is where it starts to get interesting. A 4ft NW swell with a 12-second period pushes in, and with glassy conditions (E wind, 3 mph), it’s clean. Combined energy hits 587 – moderate but promising. That’s a solid window for this spot, but remember, it rarely breaks, so you need to be on it.

Monday morning the 14th still has some pulse – 3ft from the NW, 11-second period, dead calm and glassy. Good enough for a few, but it’s dropping fast.

After that, the week goes quiet again. Tuesday the 15th through Thursday the 17th is mostly poor, with lumpy cross-shore winds and weak to moderate energy. Not worth paddling out for.

Then Friday morning the 18th of September – glassy conditions (SSE, 3 mph) on a 4ft NW swell (9 seconds). Clean, but short period. It’s a decent session, though the energy is moderate at 327.

Saturday morning the 19th is similar – 4ft from the NW, 10-second period, with a light cross-offshore from the S. Clean, tidy waves. Another good morning.

Sunday morning the 20th keeps the run going – 4ft NW, 10-second period, glassy. Nice and clean again.

Now, here’s the standout: Monday morning the 21st of September. A 7ft NW swell (10-second period) rolls in with glassy SE winds. Combined energy is 1042 – that’s strong. This is solid, clean surf, but at over 7ft, it’s really only for experienced surfers. The morning window is excellent, but by afternoon the cross-onshore ruins it.

Tuesday morning the 22nd is another beauty – 4ft NW swell with a very long 12-second period, dead calm and glassy. Energy is 1186 – very strong. This is the best on offer: clean, powerful, well-shaped waves from a solid groundswell. But again, that long period will have it breaking a bit straight on the sandbar, so pick your peak carefully. Afternoon gets messy again.

The rest of the week into Wednesday the 23rd and Thursday the 24th has more NW swell in the 5ft to 5ft range with 11-second periods, and mornings stay glassy or clean. Good, consistent surf for the experienced crew, but nothing quite as punchy as that Monday-Tuesday peak.

Water temp is around 68°, which is about normal for this time of year – no drama there.

So, bottom line: if you’re an experienced surfer, set your alarm for the morning of Monday the 21st or Tuesday the 22nd of September. That’s the best of the run – clean, strong, and solid. Just remember, this spot rarely breaks, so when it does, you’ve gotta go.

Rusty.

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