Prainha do Farol Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, let’s break down what’s coming at Prainha do Farol.

First thing: the water is way colder than normal for this time of year, sitting at 59°F, which is a full 7°F below average. That’s very unusual, so bring the thickest wetsuit you’ve got if you’re heading in.

The window starts off a bit rough, but there’s a tiny glimmer early on. Saturday the 11th, the morning has some light rain and a cross-offshore breeze from the NNE at 9 mph, with a 5ft swell out of the ESE at a long 13 seconds. Combined energy is moderate at 722. It’s not the best, a bit marginal, but it’s clean. The afternoon looks better: wind swings light WSW at 6 mph, still cross-off, swell drops to 4ft but the period stays at 13 seconds, and the energy drops to 564. Expect very good surf conditions then, but be aware this spot is inconsistent and can be a bit of a gamble. Crowds are possible, so you might have some company.

Sunday the 12th is a write-off. Strong cross-shore winds from the SW at 19 mph, lumpy, messy, and the swell jumps to 6ft with a short 10-second period, blowing out any chance of a clean wave. Energy is high at 1101, but it’s all wind-chop. Not worth paddling out.

Monday the 13th is no better. More cross-shore wind, 6ft swell but with a paltry 8-second period, so it’s weak and jumbled. Energy is moderate at 539. Leave it.

Now, here’s the standout for the first week. Tuesday the 14th, morning: light N wind at 6 mph, cross-offshore, clean as a whistle. Swell is 6ft from the SE at a solid 10 seconds, and combined energy is 663. Expect very good surf conditions. This is the best on offer for the early part of the forecast. The swell direction is not quite the optimum S direction, but it’s close enough with that clean wind to make it fun. The afternoon gets messy again with a NE breeze at 16 mph, so get on it early.

Wednesday the 15th through to the end of the week is a slow fade. The mornings stay clean with cross-off winds, but the swell drops from 5ft to 3ft, and periods get longer (12 seconds), which is nice for shape but the energy fades from 685 down to 283. The surf is marginal at best, and by Friday the 17th, it’s poor. The afternoon winds crank up to 19-25 mph, so forget it.

From Saturday the 18th through to Tuesday the 22nd, there’s a real dry spell. Swell drops to 0.7ft to 2ft, energy levels are below 100, weak, and the surf is poor. That’s about a 4-day gap with nothing to ride.

Then, late in the window, on Wednesday the 22nd, there’s a flicker of hope. Morning: light WSW wind at 6 mph, cross-off, clean. Swell is 3ft from the S at 13 seconds, a proper long-period groundswell, with combined energy of 319. Expect good surf conditions. This is the second highlight, but it’s a long way out, so keep an eye on it. The afternoon is ruined by a cross-onshore wind.

Thursday the 23rd and Friday the 24th are mostly poor, but note on Friday afternoon, the 24th, it goes glassy with a light E wind at 3 mph, 3ft S swell, 10 seconds, and 372 energy. Expect good surf conditions again. That’s promising for a late session.

The real cherry on top, 16 days out, is Saturday the 25th. Morning: light W wind at 9 mph, cross-off, clean, with 4ft S swell, 10 seconds, and 628 energy. Expect very good surf conditions. The afternoon is even better: glassy, 4ft S swell, 10 seconds, 525 energy, and expect very good surf conditions again. This is the best-looking day in the whole forecast. The swell direction is bang on the optimum S, the wind is light or glassy, and the size is fun for all levels. Mark your calendar, but remember it’s a long way off, so don’t lock in plans yet.

Overall, the spot is inconsistent, so don’t expect a lot of days. The best bets are Tuesday the 14th morning, and that Saturday the 25th. The water is crazy cold, so suit up.

Rusty.

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