Prainha do Farol Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – this Prainha do Farol run isn’t one for the memory banks. We’re staring at a long, painful gap of almost nothing worthwhile until we finally see something half-decent around Tuesday 4 August morning, but even that’s a marginal call. The first real chance to paddle out without hating life doesn’t come until Thursday 6 August morning, and even then, it’s ordinary.

The water temp is sitting at 66°, which is about what you’d expect for this time of year – no surprises there.

So, for Friday 31 July through to Monday 3 August, forget it. We’ve got a messy NE wind blasting at 28 mph with a weak 7 ft NE windswell that’s got no shape and a period of just 6 seconds. The combined energy is a moderate 488, but the cross-shore chop will ruin any chance of a decent wave. Saturday and Sunday are flat and clean but tiny – 1.0 ft to 0.3 ft – barely a ripple. Monday stays small, around 1.0 ft to 1 ft, with a longer period S swell, but still poor conditions.

Tuesday 4 August morning is the first time we see something surfable, but it’s marginal. We get 4 ft from the S at 11 seconds, with combined energy up to 332 (moderate). The wind is a gentle cross-shore, so it’s not a total loss, but it’s only a 1/10. The afternoon drops to 3 ft with light cross-onshore wind. Still not great.

Wednesday 5 August is poor again. Thursday 6 August morning offers a glimmer: 2 ft from the S, 8-second period, light NNE cross-offshore wind, clean, but combined energy is only 84 (weak). It’s surfable but very ordinary. The afternoon fades.

Friday 7 August gets messy with strong SW wind and a 6 ft SSW windswell at 6 seconds – that’s a kite-surfing setup if anything. Saturday 8 August morning is clean with 5 ft from the S, 8 seconds, and 316 combined energy, but the afternoon turns lumpy.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Sunday 9 August morning brings a proper pulse: 7 ft from the S, 14-second period, combined energy at 1830 (strong). The wind is light cross-shore, but it’s a marginal call at best. The afternoon stays big at 8 ft with a 15-second period and energy at 2231 (strong), but the cross-shore wind is fresh and lumpy. This is big, powerful, long-period groundswell – best for a point or reef, not so much for a beach break like Prainha do Farol.

Monday 10 August afternoon is the standout of the whole forecast. Glassy conditions, 7 ft from the S at 14 seconds, combined energy at 1763 (strong). This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. The wind is virtually nothing, and the swell direction (S) lines up with the optimum. If you’re an experienced local, this is your window.

Tuesday 11 August morning drops to 5 ft with clean cross-off wind, and the afternoon is promising: 4 ft from the SSE at 12 seconds, clean, and a 3/10 – expect very good surf. Wednesday 12 August is marginal again. Thursday 13 August is messy with strong NE wind. Friday 14 August is clean but windy. Saturday 15 August is a fade-out.

So, the real standout is Monday 10 August afternoon – glassy, solid groundswell, excellent conditions. Sunday 9 August is also big and powerful but less clean. The first week is mostly a write-off, so don’t bother before Thursday 6 August. After that, it’s a waiting game for that Monday pulse.

Rusty.

Read more