Prainha do Farol Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, it’s Rusty here, and I’ve got the long-range outlook for Prainha do Farol. This is a tricky one, so let’s get into it.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a lull to kick things off. The first few days are a write-off with small, messy, and cross-shore winds. Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st of August are just not worth paddling out for. The waiting game begins.

The first real glimmer of hope comes on Sunday morning, August 23rd. The wind will be light and cross-offshore from the WSW, and that’s a major positive for clean conditions. We’re looking at a 6 ft swell from the S, with a period of 11 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell, and the combined energy is pumping at 1183 (moderate energy). It’s not huge, but for a spot that’s inconsistent, this is a real standout. The water is sitting at 68°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you won’t need a thick suit. The only thing to keep in mind is that it’s an exposed spot, so with that S swell direction, it could get a bit straight, but that clean morning window is the best on offer.

Now, hold onto your boards, because Monday morning, August 24th, is a beast. The swell is predicted to be 10 ft from the S, with a massive 16-second period. The combined energy is a whopping 4546 (very strong wave energy). That, my friends, is a serious groundswell. The wind is light and cross-offshore from the WSW, so the conditions will be pristine. But here’s the catch – this is a beginner spot, and 10 ft is only for the experts. This will be a heavy, powerful, and very long-period swell. For experienced surfers, the morning session is the standout of the entire forecast. The afternoon sees the wind turn onshore, so it’s a morning-only mission.

After that big Monday, the swell starts to drop. We’ve got a couple of okay mornings, like Tuesday August 25th with clean 7 ft S swell at 13 seconds, and Thursday September 3rd shows another promising window with a clean 7 ft S swell at 12 seconds and light winds. But by the end of August, the surf drops right off to tiny, weak waves with almost no energy – readings as low as 12 (weak energy). There’s a long gap of flatness from the 28th of August through to the 1st of September.

The forecast does try to pick up again around Wednesday, September 2nd, but the wind is howling from the NE at 25 mph, making it a messy, choppy nightmare. The following morning, Thursday, September 3rd, is a much better bet with a clean 8 ft S swell at 12 seconds and lighter winds, offering another window for the experienced crew.

So, to wrap it up: For everyone, the standout is Sunday morning, August 23rd – clean, manageable, and fun. For the experts only, Monday morning, August 24th is the big one, but it’s a serious session. Don’t waste your energy on the flat days in between.

Rusty.

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