Prainha do Farol Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Prainha do Farol over the next couple of weeks. I’ll be honest with you, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. The water is sitting at a chilly 61°, which is 5° colder than what we’d usually expect this time of year. That’s seriously cold, so you’ll want a good thick wetsuit if you’re heading out.

We’ve got some decent swell on the way, but the first few days are a write-off for a proper paddle. Friday the 3rd kicks off with a solid 12 ft SSW swell rocking in, but it’s coming with a strong 25 mph cross-shore wind. That’s a messy, blown-out scene. The wave energy is massive, sitting at 2319, but it’s all for nothing with that wind. The afternoon is a bit better on the wind front, dropping to 16 mph cross-shore, and the swell is still a hefty 10 ft SSW. The file says it’s predicted to be too big for this break, and at over 8 ft, that’s expert territory anyway.

Saturday morning, the 4th, is cleaner with a gentle cross-offshore breeze at 9 mph and a 10 ft S swell. That size is still well over the 8 ft mark, so it’s for experienced surfers only. The period is 12 seconds, a nice groundswell, and the energy is very strong at 2188. It’s a standout for the experts, but the crowds are possible here, so keep your eyes peeled. By Saturday afternoon, the size drops to 8 ft S, but a moderate cross-shore makes it messy. Not worth it.

Sunday morning, the 5th, is the pick of the early run. We’ve got a 7 ft S swell, glassy conditions with a light 3 mph offshore wind from the NW, and the wave energy is moderate at 1045. The water’s still freezing, but the surf should be clean and lined up. At 7 ft and an 11-second period, it’s a solid size for experienced surfers. This is a real standout session.

After that, the swell drops right off. Monday morning the 6th sees tiny 2 ft S swell with an 18-second period – that’s super long period groundswell, which can make for straight walls at a beach break. The energy is weak at 595, and the wind is cross-offshore. It’s clean but small. The rest of the week into the 7th and 8th is small, with onshore or gusty winds making for poor conditions. Wednesday the 8th has some clean 5 ft SSW swell with light offshore winds, but it’s not going to get the heart racing. By Thursday the 9th and Friday the 10th, we’re down to below 3 ft swell, mostly clean but tiny.

Now, looking ahead to the second week, we’ve got some promise. Saturday the 11th brings a clean 5 ft ESE swell with a gentle cross-offshore breeze. Period is 11 seconds, so it’s got some push, and the energy is moderate at 532. That looks like a solid fun session. Sunday the 12th is smaller at 4 ft but with a light cross-shore and a 13-second period, which is a long period groundswell, making it better for a point or reef setup, but this is a beach. The afternoon is ruined by a strong 25 mph cross-offshore wind.

Then we get a big one. Monday the 13th: 8 ft S swell with a 10-second period. That’s a big size for this spot, over 8 ft? No, 8 ft – it’s big, expert territory again. The wind is a gentle cross-offshore from the WSW at 9 mph, and the energy is strong at 1159. That’s a standout for the brave surfers. The next few days, Tuesday the 14th and Wednesday the 15th, keep the 6 ft to 7 ft S/SSW swell going with clean winds in the mornings. Thursday the 16th has a 8 ft SSW swell, but a moderate cross-shore makes it messy. The end of the run, Friday the 17th to Saturday the 18th, sees continued 7 ft to 6 ft S swell, but fresh to strong cross-shore or cross-offshore winds ruin the quality.

Overall, if you’re an experienced surfer, the clear standout is Sunday morning the 5th of July. For the bigger wave crew, Monday the 13th of July is your day. Don’t bother with the first two days unless you’re a masochist. There are a few gaps in between where it’s just too small or too windy, but the forecasts can change.

Rusty.

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