Viana do Castelo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s happening at Viana do Castelo for the next couple of weeks.

We start off a bit slow, no real standout surf until the end of the week. The river mouth here is fairly consistent, but it needs the right conditions. The water is 62° – that’s about 4° colder than usual for this time of year, so you’ll want a thick wetsuit.

Sunday the 23rd afternoon is a little bright spot early. Light rain, a light cross-off breeze from the ESE at 6 mph, and a clean 4ft swell from the west with a 10-second period. The combined energy is moderate at 373. Nothing huge, but clean and fun.

Then we hit a long stretch of nothing. From Monday the 24th through Thursday the 27th, it’s mostly poor. Rain, onshore winds, and messy swell. The swell gets up to 7ft by Thursday afternoon, but it’s a short 8-second period and onshore at 19 mph – not worth it.

Friday the 28th morning is a tricky one. Swell is 8ft from the WNW with a long 11-second period, and the combined energy is strong at 1555. The wind is light and onshore from the WSW at 3 mph. But it’s too big for this break. Experts only, and even then, the river mouth might not like it. The afternoon is similar at 7ft but still too big.

The first real standout is Saturday the 29th morning. Clear skies, glassy conditions with a light SE breeze at 3 mph, and a clean 5ft swell from the NW with a 9-second period. Combined energy is moderate at 293. This is the best early session – clean, fun, and the river mouth handles it well. Crowds are often, so expect company.

Sunday the 30th is smaller and cleaner but only 3ft, with the wind picking up later.

The next standout is Monday the 31st morning. Clean again, with a cross-off breeze from the NNW at 9 mph, and a 5ft swell from the WNW with a 9-second period. Combined energy is moderate at 323. Solid, clean session. The afternoon is also clean but windier.

Tuesday the 1st of September morning is another good one – light cross-off breeze, 5ft from the NW, 9-second period, clean.

We get a drop in size through the 2nd and 3rd, but still clean. The 4th and 5th are marginal, but Saturday the 5th morning has a nice offshore breeze from the NNE at 3 mph and a clean 4ft swell from the NW. Good for a sneaky session.

The best of the whole forecast is Sunday the 6th of September afternoon. Clear skies, light cross-off breeze from the NW at 6 mph, and a 4ft swell from the NW with a very long 11-second period. Combined energy is moderate at 628. Clean, lined-up groundswell with good shape. Crowds are often, but for that quality, it’s worth it.

Monday the 7th gets messy again with cross-shore wind and onshore in the afternoon, though the afternoon has a massive 20-second period groundswell from the west at 5ft – combined energy of 2246. A lot of energy, but with onshore wind, it’s a gamble. Experts might check the tide.

Pick your days: Saturday the 29th morning and Sunday the 6th afternoon are the best. The whole run from the 31st to the 1st of September is also solid. Get out there.

Rusty.

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