Praia das Macas Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's take a look at what Praia das Macas has in store for us over the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, it’s a grim outlook for a while. We’ve got a long dry spell to get through first. There’s nothing worth paddling out for from now until the morning of Monday, July 14th. That’s a solid week of poor surf conditions with messy winds and small, weak, and short-period swell. You’ll see a lot of cross-onshore chop and lumpy conditions that just aren't going to offer any kind of rideable wave.

The first real chance to wet a line comes on the morning of Monday, July 14th. It’s not much to write home about, but it’s the first sign of life. We’re looking at a tiny 1.3 ft swell from the WNW with a short period of 7 seconds. The combined wave energy is weak at 44. The big draw here is the wind – it’s glassy offshore from the WSW. For a brief moment, the ocean will be flat, clean, and glassy. You’ll be able to catch a few tiny, ordinary waves, but don’t expect any power or push. This is strictly a beginner session on a longboard.

After that tease, we’re back into the wilderness. Conditions from that afternoon onward through to the end of the third week of July remain poor. Cross-onshore winds from the north and northwest keep the surface messy, and the swell stays small and weak. A few days later, on the morning of Monday, July 21st, the swell does start to pick up noticeably. The combined energy climbs to 250, meaning there’s moderate wave energy, but the swell height is around 5.2 ft from the NNW. The problem is the wind. It’s a strong cross-shore breeze at 28 mph from the north, making for messy, chopped-out conditions. Even though there’s more water moving, the quality is gone. The combined energy for that afternoon session is 188, but the wind jumps to a near gale at 31 mph. That’s blown out. The following days, July 22nd and 23rd, offer similar messages: more size, worse wind. The offshore wind is needed, but it’s just not there.

So, what’s the standout? Honestly, in this 16-day window, there isn't a proper standout session. The best on offer is that glassy morning on Monday, July 14th. It’s the only time you’ll get clean conditions, even if the swell is tiny. If you’re a beginner or just want to sit in a glassy lineup and feel the ocean, that’s your one chance. For anyone looking for any real power or a proper wave, this forecast is a total bust. The water temp is 67.3°, which is about average for the time of year at Praia das Macas, so at least the water feels normal.

Stay patient, mates. It’s a rough run.

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