Praia do Porto Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. This is Rusty, and I’m looking at what’s on offer for the next couple of weeks.

To be honest, the first few days are a bit of a mixed bag. We’ve got some waves, but the quality isn’t always there. The standout is definitely going to be the middle of the week and the following weekend, but we’ll get to that.

The water’s running at a chilly 59°, which is a solid 7° colder than usual for this time of year. That’s a proper cold snap, so you’ll want a thick wetsuit.

Starting off on Monday the 13th, the morning session at Praia do Porto is your best bet early on. We’ve got a 7ft swell from the S, with a period of 8 seconds – not the longest, but it’s got some punch. The wind is a gentle offshore from the WSW, so it’ll be clean and lined up. The combined energy is pumping at 1089 (moderate to strong), so it’s got some grunt. It’s a decent shout for a Monday morning surf. The afternoon, however, drops off quickly with a cross-offshore wind making it marginal.

Tuesday the 14th morning is a dream – glassy conditions with a light offshore breeze from the NW. The swell is 6ft from the SE, period 10 seconds. The energy is moderate (605), and it’s going to be clean. This is a solid option for a morning paddle.

Then we hit a rough patch. From Tuesday afternoon right through to the morning of Sunday the 19th, the winds turn onshore or cross-onshore, and the quality just isn’t there. The swell sticks around, but it’s messy. If you’re a kite surfer, the onshore winds and 5ft to 7ft swell might look interesting, but for a paddle surfer, it’s not worth it.

The run of poor conditions breaks on Sunday the 19th afternoon. The wind goes dead calm – glassy. The swell is 7ft from the NE, period 8 seconds, and the energy jumps to 902 (moderate to strong). This is a serious turnaround. The waves will be clean and powerful. This is a good session.

Monday the 20th morning is another glassy one. A light offshore from the SSW, 6ft swell from the ENE, period 8 seconds. Energy is 841 (moderate to strong). It’s clean. Another top pick.

The following week has some more good windows. Wednesday the 22nd is a standout with offshore winds all day. Light rain in the morning, then cloudy in the afternoon. The swell is 5ft from the SSE, period 10 seconds. The energy is high: 885 in the morning, 919 in the afternoon. That’s strong, clean surf. This is a proper day.

Friday the 24th is also a beauty. The afternoon has a moderate offshore breeze from the SSW, 5ft swell from the S, period 12 seconds. The energy is 682 (moderate to strong). It’s clean and a bit longer period, which means better shaped waves. This is a solid session.

Now, for the real heavy stuff. The end of the forecast period brings some serious groundswell. Sunday the 26th is for experts only. The morning sees an 8ft swell from the S, with a long period of 15 seconds. The energy is a massive 2780 (very strong). The wind is a clean cross-offshore from the WNW. This is a powerful, heaving swell. Only for the experienced, and it might be breaking a bit straight at the beach, so keep your wits about you.

Monday the 27th is still big, with a 8ft swell and a 16-second period from the SSE. Energy is 2595 (very strong). The wind is cross-offshore, so it’s clean, but it’s still a lot of water moving.

Finally, Tuesday the 28th morning is a gift. The wind goes dead glassy, the swell drops to 5ft but the period is a long 13 seconds from the SSE. The energy is still a strong 1612. This is a glassy, long-period, powerful clean swell. If you can make it, this is the session to aim for.

So, the best on offer? Sunday the 19th afternoon and Monday the 20th morning for the glassy, clean, mid-range swell. Then Wednesday the 22nd and Friday the 24th for the offshore winds and solid, clean waves. The very end of the run, on Tuesday the 28th morning, is a proper glassy, long-period score for the experienced.

Rusty.

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