Zambujeira do Mar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the table for Zambujeira do Mar over the next couple of weeks.

First thing to note: the water is sitting at 68.5°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year. Nothing crazy, but you'll feel it.

Honestly, the start of this forecast is a bit of a letdown. Tuesday the 8th and Wednesday the 9th are a write-off. We've got a moderate cross-onshore breeze chopping up a NW swell that's mostly too small or weak to get excited about. The energy is nothing to write home about, sitting at 274 on Tuesday afternoon, dropping to 100 Wednesday morning, and then jumping but still messy. You're better off staying on the beach.

We get a glimmer on Thursday morning the 10th. The swell bumps up to 5.2ft from the NW, but it's a short period 8-second wind swell, and the wind is a cross-shore breeze. The energy is moderate (383), but the conditions are marginal, with some cross-chop. Not the best, but you could find a couple if you're keen.

The standout, and I mean the real standout, is Friday morning the 11th. Glassy. Dead calm. The wind is flat out of the WNW, and the swell is a clean 3.9ft from the NW. The energy is solid (206), and the water will be like a mirror. For a few hours at dawn, Zambujeira do Mar is going to be clean and lined up. This is the one to aim for. The afternoon gets a bit onshore, so get it while it's good.

Saturday the 12th is small and clean with a light cross-offshore, but the swell is only 2.3ft. Not worth rushing out for.

Then look at Sunday the 13th. ENE wind is blowing offshore, and we've got a proper groundswell rolling in with a 14-second period from the NW. The energy is pumping for the size (271). That longer period means the sets will be more spaced out, but the shape will be better. Morning is the call. The afternoon goes onshore, so it's a morning mission.

Monday the 14th is another good one. An offshore E wind, and a 12-second NW swell at 3.9ft. The energy is 389. Then Monday afternoon, the wind goes glassy with a little WNW breeze. That's a solid day.

After that, the second week gets a bit ordinary. The wind patterns get messy, and the swell stays small or inconsistent. Tuesday the 15th has a tiny glassy morning, but it's only 2.0ft. Wednesday the 16th has a glassy morning again, but still small at 3.0ft. You might get a few fun ones, but nothing to set the alarm for.

Friday the 18th sees a bump in size to 6.2ft-6.6ft from the NW, but the wind is a strong cross-onshore, making it choppy and messy. That kind of power (554-598) with a short period and onshore wind is more for the kites than for paddlers.

The last few days are pretty bleak. Small, onshore, and weak. The 23rd of September has a glassy morning, but the swell is only 2.6ft with a pathetic 5-second period and energy of 71. Not worth it.

Bottom line: The best surf in the 16-day window is the glassy morning of Friday the 11th. It's a clean, fun-sized wave. The weekend of the 13th-14th also offers solid, clean waves with offshore winds. Don't sleep on that Sunday morning. The rest is a mixed bag of small, messy, or typical autumn conditions. Keep your eyes on the forecasts.

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