Zambujeira do Mar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again. Let's break it down in real terms.

First up, Zambujeira do Mar. The water is 66°, which is about 4° cooler than average for this time of year, so it’s noticeably colder than usual. You’ll want a thicker suit.

Right now, through the end of July and into the first week of August, it’s a pretty grim run. The swell is tiny, mostly under 2ft, coming from the NW or WNW, with periods around 8 to 10 seconds. The wind is a constant cross-onshore, mostly from the NW, and it’s churning the surface up. There’s no real energy in the water, with the combined swell energy sitting at 131 (moderate) on Wednesday 29th July morning, but the conditions are just poor. It’s a write-off for paddle surfing. You’d be better off on a kite if you’re desperate.

Friday 31st July morning shows a little flicker of hope. The wind swings to a cross-off from the NNE at 15 km/h, and the swell is 3ft from the NNW, but it’s a short-period 5 second windswell. The combined energy is only 64 (weak). The wave comment says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions,” and the score is just a 1. It’s clean, but that’s about all it’s got going for it. Not a standout, just a brief moment of not being terrible.

Then we’re back into a long stretch of nothing. From Saturday 1st August right through to Thursday 13th August, it’s a solid 13-day gap of poor surf. The swell stays small, mostly under 3ft, and the wind is almost constantly cross-onshore, NW or NNW, adding chop. The combined energy rarely breaks 100, and when it does, like on the 7th August morning (244 - moderate), the swell is 5ft from the NW with an 8 second period, but the wind is cross-shore, and the conditions are still considered marginal at best. That afternoon, it jumps to 5ft, but the wind is hammering it cross-onshore, making it a choppy mess. That’s too big for beginners and not clean enough for anyone else.

The truth is, there’s nothing here that deserves a highlight. The best call on offer? If you’re absolutely desperate, that Friday 31st July morning window is the only clean surf you’ll see, but the waves are weak and short. The conditions just aren’t cooperating. For the rest of the 16-day window, it’s a long, flat, choppy slog. The combined swell energy is weak to moderate throughout, and nothing lines up right. This is one of those stretches where you just have to wait it out. Forecasts can change, but right now, there’s no standout.

Rusty.

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