Praia das Macas Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, it's Rusty here. Let's have a look at what Praia das Macas has got cookin' for us over the next couple of weeks.

The pattern starts off a bit of a dud, to be honest. We've got a long wait ahead. The first proper surf window doesn't show up until Saturday the 19th of September, so that's nearly a full week of flat or messy conditions to get through before anything good rolls in.

Monday the 14th has a small, clean 3ft NW swell, but the combined energy is a weak 284, so it's not doing much, and it's only really there in the morning. After that, things get ugly fast. From Tuesday the 15th right through to Friday the 18th, we're dealing with strong onshore northerly winds. It gets especially gnarly Wednesday and Thursday the 16th and 17th, with a big and powerful 10ft NW swell, but it's completely trashed by the wind. The combined energy spikes into four-digit figures (1441 and 1667), but for a beach break like this, that's more of a windsurfing or kitesurfing setup than a paddle wave. Just leave it.

Right, now for the good stuff. Saturday the 19th of September morning is the standout session. We’ve got a solid 8ft NW groundswell with a nice long 14-second period. The combined energy is strong at 2179, kicking properly. But the real winner is the wind: a light offshore from the east at just 3 mph. That’s going to keep the faces clean. This is proper, powerful surf, so it’s strictly for experienced surfers who know what they’re doing. The swell direction from NW is exactly what this spot wants.

Saturday afternoon is still big, with 7ft from NW at 13 seconds, but the wind swings onshore, so the morning is the clear window.

Sunday the 20th of September morning cleans up nicely again. A still-chunky 5ft NW swell, with a 12-second period, and light offshore ESE winds at 9 mph. Combined energy is a solid 741, and the water temp is sitting at 66°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want the wetsuit zipped up. This is great, clean, fun surf for a Sunday morning.

Into the working week, Monday the 21st and Tuesday the 22nd both have cracking mornings. Monday sees a 4ft NW swell with a very long 14-second period, light offshore ESE breeze again at 6 mph. Tuesday is similar, with 5ft NW groundswell (12-second period) and the same light offshore ESE air. The combined energy stays moderate (829 and 603), but with that clean wind, the quality will be excellent.

After that, the swell fades. Wednesday the 23rd and Thursday the 24th drop right off, with tiny 3ft and 1ft NW swells.

Then, another notable session pops up a week later on Friday the 25th of September. A solid 5ft WNW groundswell with a long 14-second period rolls in. The wind is light offshore from the ESE again, keeping things clean. This one carries a combined energy of 999, so it’s got some push.

And finally, Saturday the 26th of September morning offers up a glassy session. A 4ft WNW swell with light NNE winds – glassy, no wind at all. The combined energy is a moderate 421. It won't be the biggest, but with a glassy surface, it's perfect for a long, cruisy session.

So, to wrap it up: the pick of the entire forecast is that Saturday the 19th of September morning. Big, clean NW swell, light offshore breeze – that’s the one to circle. The Sunday the 20th and Monday and Tuesday mornings that follow are also excellent clean options. There are some decent waves further out, but the near-term standout is that Saturday. Crowds are possible here, so get in early.

Stay stoked.

- Rusty

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