Praia das Macas Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight – this 16‑day window for Praia das Macas is a tough one. There’s no good surf on offer across the whole period, not a single session I’d paddle out for. The break itself is consistent, but the wind just won’t play ball. Throughout the forecast, the wind is mostly cross‑onshore or onshore from the north and north‑northwest, keeping the surface choppy and lumpy. Combined swell energy ranges from weak (45) to moderate (226), but even when the swell bumps up, the wind ruins it.

The water temperature sits at 69°, which is about average for this time of year – just a touch warmer with a 2° anomaly, nothing to write home about.

Let’s walk through the timeline. From Monday 6 July through to the end of the first week, swell heights hover between 2 ft and 4 ft, mostly from the northwest, but periods are short, often 5–9 seconds. The only blip of moderate energy comes on Thursday 9 July afternoon (226) and again on Friday 10 July afternoon (201), but again, cross‑onshore wind from the northwest at 12–16 mph makes it ugly.

Even the longer‑period pulses – like Saturday 11 July morning with 2 ft at 11 seconds (123 energy) – are plagued by light cross‑onshore wind. The water stays messy.

The second week doesn’t improve. Sunday 19 July morning brings the biggest swell of the window: 4 ft from the west at 12 seconds, with moderate energy (406), and the wind is onshore from the northwest at 6 mph – that’s still onshore, not clean. At 4 ft, it’s okay for beginners, but the onshore wind makes it a bumpy ride. That afternoon sees 4 ft at 11 seconds (417), again onshore. The rest of the week drops back to weak, short‑period slop with strong cross‑onshore winds.

Look, Praia das Macas is a consistent beginner‑friendly spot, and optimum swell direction is northwest, which we do see. But without proper offshore wind (ideally from the ESE according to guidance), it’s just not coming together. The entire 16‑day forecast is blank for surfable waves. Because the spot is consistent, this kind of stretch is unusual – but it happens. Forecasts can change, so keep an eye on it, but for now, leave the board at home.

Rusty.

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