Zambujeira do Mar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Howzit, this is Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer. There’s no surf worth paddling for until Thursday morning the 18th, so we’ve got a couple of days of quiet to kick things off.

The first real chance to get wet is on Thursday the 18th, with Zambujeira do Mar dishing up a clean morning. We've got a 6ft NW swell at 9 seconds, so it’s a bit short-period and chunky, but with a light NNE cross-offshore breeze it’ll be clean. The water temperature is sitting at 67°, which is nearly three and a half degrees cooler than normal – so a touch on the chilly side, don’t forget a thicker suit. The combined energy is moderate (622). It’s a fairly consistent spot, but nothing huge or spectacular yet.

Now, the standout of the whole 16-day window is Saturday the 19th, morning session. Zambujeira do Mar is glassy with a 6ft NW groundswell running at a long period of 14 seconds. That means real shape and push, and with clean glass conditions the waves will be superb for experienced surfers. The combined energy is strong (1470). This is the one to circle. The longer period might make the take-offs a bit tricky for beginners, but for anyone who knows what they’re doing, this is the pick of the forecast.

Then on Saturday afternoon, the wind switches onshore, so that morning window is the key. Sunday the 20th morning is also clean, with a smaller 5ft NNW swell at 12 seconds and a light offshore easterly. Good for an easy session, not a standout.

Further out, Wednesday the 23rd morning brings a powerful swell: 6ft from the NW with a 15-second period and an offshore east-southeast breeze. The energy is very strong (1657). It’s another excellent window for experienced surfers – groundswell of good size and long period, so expect long lines. But by this date we’re a week and a half away, so treat it as promising but not locked in.

Saturday the 26th morning looks glassy again with a similar 6ft NW, 14-second groundswell and 1484 energy. Solid repeat of conditions, if the track holds.

Other days are mainly onshore or messy, with the end of the forecast going small and choppy from the 28th onward. On Thursday the 1st of October morning, the glass comes back with a 4ft NNW swell, but by then we’re stretching into the second week and it’s a fun small wave morning, not a stand-out.

Bottom line: the 19th morning and the 23rd morning are the ones that get my heart rate up. Get on it early when it’s clean and off the wind.

– Rusty

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