Santa Maria de Oia Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright surfers, Rusty here with a look at the next couple of weeks for the area around Santa Maria de Oia.

Overall, it’s a frustrating couple of weeks ahead. The first week or so is mostly a write-off with messy, onshore conditions dominating. There are two clear standouts that will make the wait worthwhile, but you’re going to have to be patient to get the good ones.

Right off the bat, Wednesday the 9th is a no-go. We have a cross-onshore breeze at 16 mph and a weak, choppy 4 ft swell (343). The afternoon doesn't improve. Thursday the 10th is barely better, with light cross-onshore winds and small, weak surf. Friday the 11th is more of the same, only smaller.

The first glimmer of hope comes on Saturday morning, the 12th. It’s only 2 ft of swell, but the wind is a light cross-offshore, making conditions glassy and clean. It’s surfable, but tiny.

Sunday the 13th is where it gets interesting. This is the first real standout. A new NW groundswell arrives at 5 ft with a long period of 12 seconds, carrying serious energy (647). With a light cross-offshore breeze, the conditions are forecast to be very good. However, this is an advanced reef break, so 5 ft with that period will be a hefty, powerful wave—not for the faint-hearted. The water temp is 67°, about normal for this time of year.

Monday the 14th is a step down but still offers clean, surfable waves in the morning as the swell drops to 3 ft.

From Tuesday the 15th through to Friday the 18th, we enter another flat, choppy stretch. The wind is either cross-on or onshore, the swell is small, and the quality is poor.

Then we hit Saturday the 19th of September. Boom. This is the one to circle on the calendar. The morning window looks magic. There’s a solid 5 ft NW groundswell with a very long 12-second period and strong energy (674). The wind is coming from the south at just 3 mph, which at this break means glassy, pristine conditions. The reef will hold this swell beautifully, producing long, clean lines. For the advanced surfer, this could be the session of the month.

Sunday the 20th cleans up again, but the size drops right off to 3 ft. From Monday the 21st through to Tuesday the 23rd, we get a run of clean mornings with light cross-offshore winds, but the size is modest, hovering around 3 ft to 5 ft. It’s fun, rideable, but not a standout.

The tail end of the forecast on Wednesday the 24th shows more swell building to 6 ft, but the wind swings onshore, making it a messy proposition for all but the most experienced looking for a challenge.

So, to boil it down: Sunday the 13th and Saturday the 19th are your best bets. Both offer solid groundswell with good wind. The 19th might just have the edge with the glassy conditions and cleaner energy.

Rusty.

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