Praia da Barra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on offer for the next stretch. I’ll be straight with you—this is a tough one for Praia da Barra. The whole 16-day window is a bit of a write-off for decent surf, with only a couple of moments that are even worth mentioning. The swell is mostly weak and the wind is almost always wrong, making things messy.

The first real chance to even think about getting wet isn’t until Thursday, the 13th of August. Early that morning, we’ve got a bit of W swell at 3 ft, with a period of 9 seconds. The wind goes glassy, which is a rare treat here, and the water is about average for the time of year. The combined energy is 167 (moderate). It’s not going to be pumping, but it'll be clean and surfable. That’s the one standout in the whole run, and it’s only a one-session window before the onshore comes back in the afternoon.

Before that, from the 3rd of August right through to the 12th, it’s pretty grim. The swell is small, mostly under 4 ft, and the wind is cross-on or cross-shore from the NNW or NW, chopping everything up. The combined energy is mostly in the weak to moderate range, with values like 72 (weak) and 207 (moderate). There’s a long gap of ten days with no real recommendation.

Late in the second week, around Saturday the 15th and into Sunday the 16th, the swell gets bigger. We’re looking at 5 ft to 8 ft from the NNW, but the period is short at 6 to 7 seconds. The combined energy jumps up to 540 (strong) on the 15th afternoon, but with onshore wind and a short period, it’s going to be a messy, dumpy close-out. The 8 ft stuff on the 15th afternoon is too big for beginners and only for experts if they’re keen, but it’s onshore so it’ll be a battle. The 17th of August morning has a bit more promise with 6 ft, a slightly longer 8-second period, and light cross-on wind, giving a combined energy of 510 (strong). It’s rated as marginal, but it’s the next best option after that glassy morning on the 13th.

Honestly, if you’re after clean waves, the only true stand-out is that glassy dawn session on Thursday the 13th of August. The bigger stuff later on is just big and ugly. For a sandbar break that rarely breaks, this is a pretty normal blank run for the area.

Rusty.

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