Praia das Macas Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a yarn about what’s on offer at Praia das Macas for the next 16 days. Honestly, it’s a tough stretch for paddling. From the start of the period on Monday, 31 August, right through to the end, the conditions are mostly written off by poor surf quality. There’s a heap of days with no real recommendation – a gap that runs from the beginning all the way to Sunday, 6 September. The swell energy fluctuates from weak to moderate, with combined energy values ranging from 96 to 632, but the wind is almost always a problem: fresh cross or cross-onshore breezes creating lumpy, choppy surfaces. It’s not looking good for paddle surfing at all.

On Monday, 31 August, there’s a NW swell at 4 ft to 4 ft with a period of 9-10 seconds, but the wind is a fresh 35 km/h from the north, making it cross and cross-on. The energy sits at 290 in the morning and hits 454 in the afternoon – moderate – but the water is about average for the time of year at 68°. It’s a poor setup, more interesting for kite surfing than anything with a paddle.

The first glimmer comes on Sunday morning, 6 September. The wind turns offshore from the northwest at just 5 km/h – glassy conditions at last. Swell is 4 ft from the NW with a long 12-second period, and energy is a strong 498. It’s still rated as marginal due to tide issues, but that offshore wind is a major positive for clean waves. The long period means better shape, best suited to a point or reef break, but at a beach break it might straighten out a bit. If you’re an expert, this is the one to eye up – it’s the only real standout in the whole outlook.

After that, it’s back to messy conditions. Wednesday, 9 September morning has a 6 ft NNW swell with an 8-second period and energy of 514, but cross-shore winds and moderate chop keep it marginal at best. By the second week, things don’t improve much – Monday, 15 September has a 3 ft NW swell with a very long 14-second period and energy of 417, but the wind is cross-onshore again. That afternoon sees a 4 ft swell from the NW with a 13-second period and energy climbing to 632, but it’s still spoiled by wind. There’s no real second standout; the whole period is a write-off save for that one Sunday morning window.

The bottom line: if you’re set on a paddle, Sunday morning, 6 September is your best bet with light offshore wind and solid NW swell. The rest is blown out and choppy – better suited to kite surfing than a traditional surf. Stay patient, and remember forecasts can shift.

Rusty.

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