Praia das Macas Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – this is a bit of a tough stretch for Praia das Macas. The whole 16-day window is pretty much a write-off for decent surf. We’ve got a long, bleak run of nothing worth paddling out for, starting now and not really offering anything until the tail end of the second week.

The problem is the wind. We're stuck in a pattern of moderate to fresh cross-onshore breezes, mostly from the NNW, which just butcher the surface. Even when we get a bump in size, it’s accompanied by lumpy, choppy conditions. The swell energy is all over the place, but it doesn't matter because the quality is just gone.

For most of the first two weeks, from the 3rd of August right through to the 14th, you’re looking at nothing but poor surf. The combined swell energy is mostly moderate (138 to 331), but the wind is a constant problem. The water temp is sitting at 68°, which is pretty average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first real glimmer of hope comes on the 15th of August, Saturday morning. We get a bit of a pulse with swell hitting 7 ft from the NNW, but it's a short-period 7 seconds, and the wind is still light cross-onshore. The energy jumps up (345), but it’s only rated as marginal. The Saturday afternoon sees a bigger 8 ft swell from the NNW, but the wind switches to onshore, and the energy is strong (587). Still not clean.

The best chance, and I mean the only one that might get a local out of bed, is Sunday the 16th of August. The morning sees a 8 ft NNW swell with a period of 8 seconds. The combined energy is strong (846). The wind is light from the west, which is a cross-onshore, but it’s the lightest we’ve seen. The conditions are still described as marginal, but with an 8 ft swell and light wind, it’s the standout. This is expert territory at that size, and with the short period, it’s going to be a bit fat and wonky on the beach break. It’s a promise, not a guarantee, this far out.

The Monday the 17th holds a similar 7 ft to 7 ft swell, but the wind freshens again, killing it.

So, there it is. A long dry spell, with a single, promising, but uncertain window around the 16th. If you’re desperate, that’s your look. Otherwise, maybe take up golf.

Rusty.

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