Zambujeira do Mar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for our stretch of coast.

We kick off with some promise, but it's a bit of a mixed bag for the next couple of weeks. The sea's running a bit chilly at 68°, which is about 3° colder than usual for this time of year, so you'll want a thicker suit.

Sunday morning, August 16th, is our standout early option. Zambujeira do Mar is looking clean with glassy conditions and a light 3 mph easterly breeze. We've got a solid 5ft NW swell running, with moderate wave energy pushing through (391). That 8-second period means it's a bit of a wind swell, but the clean face will make up for it. It's a good one to get on, just be aware that it can get a crowd here sometimes. We're looking at 5ft, so it's solid but manageable.

After that, things go a bit quiet. The wind swings around and gets messy from Sunday afternoon right through the week, with onshore and cross-onshore breezes killing the quality. We get a few small pulses, but nothing really worth getting excited about until the following weekend.

Friday morning, August 21st, we see a jump back up to 5ft from the NW, but it's got a cross-onshore breeze so it's only a marginal call. The wave energy is chunky though (438). Still, the wind is the story, and it's not the one we want.

Monday morning, August 24th, is a big one, but not for paddle surfing. The swell jumps to a hefty 8ft from the NW with strong energy (1111). But that's genuinely too big for this spot and the 10-second period will be a handful in the cross-onshore wind. Honestly, that setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. If you're an expert and the tides line up, you might find a corner, but I'd be cautious.

The real gem might be Tuesday morning, August 25th. After that big pulse, the swell drops back to a very surfable 6ft from the NNW. But the key here is that the wind goes glassy again, with a light 3 mph westerly. Similar to the Sunday, we're looking at clean conditions. That is your second real standout. The 6ft is a proper size, but with that 8-second period and glassy water, you'll get some fun ones.

After that, it's a slow fade into the first days of September. There’s another big pulse on Monday, August 31st, with 7ft from the NW and strong energy (695), but with onshore winds again, it's another one that's likely out of control for this break. A few smaller, marginal windows pop up, but nothing that will have you racing for the car.

So, to sum it up: Sunday the 16th morning is your best early call, and Tuesday the 25th morning is the one to bookmark for the following week.

Rusty.

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