Zambujeira do Mar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a proper look at what's on the menu for Zambujeira do Mar over the next couple of weeks. We've got a bit of a slow start, but the second half of the period is where the magic’s supposed to happen.

Right now, the ocean is waking up. The first real chance to get wet is this Sunday morning, the 13th. It's small, with waves around 2ft pushing in from the NNW, but the real story is that light NE cross-off breeze. That'll keep the surface glassy and clean. The water temperature is sitting at 66°, which is a solid 5° colder than normal for this time of year – you'll feel that chill when you first paddle out, so a thicker suit is a good call. Combined wave energy is moderate at (227), so there's enough push for your shortboard, just nothing to write home about. It’s an honest, fun little session for intermediate surfers.

Sunday afternoon gets messy fast. The wind swings onshore from the W, and the waves get bumpy. We lose the window.

Monday morning, the 14th, offers a similar setup: clean 4ft swell from the NW with a light NE breeze. The period drops to 12 seconds, but it's still got some shape. Again, it’s a morning-only game before the afternoon wind fouls it up.

Tuesday and Wednesday (15th & 16th) are a write-off. Small, choppy, and onshore for the most part. Wednesday afternoon even sees the swell bump up to 8ft, but with a stiff NW wind and a short 9-second period (827-1015 energy), it’s a bumpy, junky mess. Not worth the paddle.

Now, here's where it gets interesting. Thursday morning the 17th has a proper 8ft NW groundswell (period 10 seconds) with an incredible NNE breeze at just 3 mph. That's cross-offshore, and it will be clean. The energy jumps to a strong (1325). But – and this is a big but – at 8ft, this is strictly for the experienced crew. Beginners, stay on the sand for this one. The forecast notes the size is too big for the break's usual shape. If you charge, the morning window on the 17th is a standout.

Friday morning the 18th is similar, with 7ft NW swell and light offshores (782 energy). Still big, still for experts only.

But the absolute standout of the whole period is Saturday morning, the 19th of September. We’re looking at a solid 7ft groundswell from the NNW with a *very* long period of 14 seconds. The combined energy is massive at (1690). The wind? It's forecast to be glassy – dead calm out of the SW. That combination of size, power, and no wind is a rare treat around here. This is "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers" stuff. Get on it. It'll be a heavy, powerful swell, best suited to the points and reefs where that long period can really stand up. Crowds are possible, so get in early.

Sunday the 20th cleans up nicely again. A solid 5ft NW groundswell with a light offshore ENE breeze. That’s a very good option for anyone who missed the Saturday session.

Monday the 21st and Tuesday the 22nd keep the trend going: clean mornings with 4ft to 5ft NW groundswells and offshore winds. Consistency is high, and the quality is there for the intermediate crew.

Wednesday the 23rd is another gem: 5ft NNW groundswell with glassy conditions on the morning. You can’t ask for much more.

After that, the swell fades gradually through the end of the month into smaller, weaker 1ft to 1ft waves with long periods but no real power. The water will be flat and clean, but not worth a dedicated trip.

The very end of the period (27th-28th) shows a pulse of new 5ft groundswell with long periods, but the wind is a little sketchy. The 28th morning has a cross-offshore breeze, but there’s also a risk of thunderstorms. It’s a promising forecast, but long-range, so we wait and see.

For my money, the standout is Saturday the 19th. Get that date in your calendar. The Thursday the 17th and Friday the 18th mornings are the expert-only highlights.

Stay salty.

Rusty.

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