Zambujeira do Mar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab your board, let’s talk about Zambujeira do Mar. It’s a bit of a mixed bag over the next couple of weeks, but there are a few windows where it comes alive, and with the water sitting at 68°, that’s a touch colder than usual for this time of year – nothing too wild, but you’ll feel it.

The first few days are honestly a write-off. We’ve got a weak, short-period NW swell struggling to get past 2ft on Saturday the 5th, with a cross-onshore WSW breeze chopping it up. Sunday the 6th sees a jump in size to 4ft and a longer 12-second period, but the wind stays messy. Just not worth paddling out yet.

Now, Monday the 7th is where it gets interesting. Early morning we’ve got a clean 4ft swell from the WNW, with a light N wind that’s cross-offshore. That’s proper. The wave energy is solid (796) and the surfing conditions are expected to be very good. This is the standout session – get on it before the onshore kicks in later in the day. The period around 13 seconds is nice and long, making for some well-shaped lines.

The rest of the first week is frustrating. Tuesday the 8th has some size but the wind swings onshore and chops it up. Wednesday and Thursday struggle with short-period windswell and messy winds. By Friday the 11th, we get another clean morning with a 5ft NNW swell and a cross-offshore NNE breeze. The period is a bit shorter at 9 seconds, but the energy is decent (346) and the wave comment says good surf conditions. A solid option if you missed Monday.

The weekend of the 12th and 13th offers glassy mornings with small (4ft) NW swells. The energy is low (130-264) and the period is short (7 seconds), so it’s surfable but very ordinary. Good for a longboard or a beginner-friendly cruise.

Then we hit a bit of a gap. Mid-week, the wind turns more onshore, and while Monday the 14th still has some size (5ft), the conditions are marginal. Tuesday the 15th has a magical glassy morning with a 5ft NW swell (394 energy), but the wind is set to turn onshore by the afternoon. That morning session is a tasty little nugget for those willing to work for it.

Looking further ahead to the 17th of September, there’s a bigger pulse of NW swell hitting 7ft early morning (877 energy). That’s a solid, powerful swell with a 9-second period, but the wind is light cross-onshore, so expect some ripple. This one is more for the experienced crew – 7ft is pushing it for beginners. The rest of the second week drops off markedly, with smaller swells and mostly onshore or cross-onshore winds. The 20th has another glassy morning but with only 3ft on offer.

Best Bet: Monday morning, the 7th of September. Clean, 4ft WNW groundswell, light offshore wind, plenty of energy. That’s the one.

– Rusty

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