Viana do Castelo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, it’s your local surf reporter Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a slow start. The first day or two is gonna be a write-off, with small, messy surf and a bit of a side-offshore wind making things feel ordinary. We’re talking about Friday morning with a weak 3ft swell from the WNW at a short 8 seconds – combined energy is only 118, so you’re not feeling much push. The wind is a light 6 mph WSW breeze, but it’s not helping.

Things start to turn around on Saturday morning, the 5th of September. That’s the first real window of opportunity. The wind drops right out, going glassy from the ESE, and the swell shifts to a cleaner NW direction with a longer 11-second period. The wave height is small at 2ft, but the combined energy jumps to 217 (moderate), and the conditions are glassy. This is a good time for a longboard or a foamie, especially for beginners, because the water temp is about average for the time of year.

The standout session, the one you’ll want to circle on the calendar, is Monday morning, the 14th of September. Seriously, that’s the best bet in the whole 16-day window. Viana do Castelo is a river mouth, so it handles a longer period groundswell well. We’re looking at a solid 5ft swell from the NW, with a period of 10 seconds, and the combined energy is a chunky 511 (strong). The wind is a light 6 mph offshore from the east, which will groom the faces perfectly. The water will be clean, and you’ll get some proper waves with shape. It’s got a fairly consistent reputation, but crowds are often a factor here, so get in early.

The Saturday morning, the 5th, is also worth a mention. That glassy morning with 2ft NW swell and 11-second period will be clean and fun, even if it’s small. The combined energy is 217 (moderate). It’s a good one for a quiet paddle.

From the 15th of September onwards, the surf gets a bit smaller and more inconsistent again. There are a few mornings with clean, offshore winds and small waist-high waves, but nothing with the size and power of that Monday the 14th. The 17th of September Thursday morning offers some glassy 3ft waves from the WNW, but it’s not going to compare.

So, to sum it up: the first two days are a bust. Saturday the 5th is a nice, small, clean session for the longboard. But the real winner, the one that’s worth waiting for, is Monday morning, the 14th of September. That’s your best shot at some proper, clean, head-high waves with a bit of grunt.

Rusty.

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