Zambujeira do Mar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s talk about what’s happening at your local stretch. Zambujeira do Mar is a west-facing, exposed spot, and it’s been a bit of a mixed bag lately. The water temp is sitting pretty much average for this time of year, so nothing to shock the system.

The first real chance to get wet comes Monday morning, the 17th. We’ve got a 4ft swell pushing in from the NW, but the period is a short 8 seconds, so it’s just a weak windswell. The wind is light and cross-off from the SSE, which keeps the surface clean, but the energy is only moderate (177). It’s a start, but don’t expect any magic.

The week after that is a real struggle. From Monday afternoon right through to the end of the following week, the wind is all over the shop – mostly cross-onshore or onshore, with a moderate breeze straight from the NW and WSW. The swell stays small, between 2ft and 5ft, and the period is short. The surf is just a choppy, messy mess. It’s a long, frustrating gap of about 9 days where you’d be better off sitting on the beach.

Now, the standout window. Look at Sunday morning, the 23rd of August. It’s finally glassy, with a light SW breeze that’s basically nothing. The swell is 5ft from the NNW, still a short-period 8 seconds, but the energy is moderate (269) and the conditions are clean. This is the pick of the first week. It’s an intermediate-friendly size, and the glassy surface means it’ll be a joy.

Then the real gem. It’s a long way off, but Sunday morning, the 30th of August, is the one to circle. The swell is a solid 7ft from the NW, with a 10-second period pushing moderate energy (869). The wind is cross from the north, so it’s sideshore – not perfect, but manageable. The wave comment says wind and tide are favorable, but honestly, at 7ft, this is getting into expert-only territory for a beach break. A short period swell on a beach like this can be a bit of a wonky wall, but with that cross wind, it’ll be more sessionable than the rest. It’s a big call this far out, but it’s the best bet on the whole table.

The day after, on the 31st, the swell stays big (6–7ft) but the wind is back onshore, so it’s a write-off.

And then, on the very last day, Tuesday the 1st of September, we see a 6ft NW swell with a very long period of 14 seconds and massive energy (1647). That’s a proper groundswell. But the wind is cross from the NNW, and the comment says marginal. That long period will make it fat and straight at a beach break, so it’s a bit of a tease. Not the day for a paddle.

Overall, it’s a lean run. The glassy Sunday on the 23rd is your best early bet, and the big NW swell on the 30th is the one to keep an eye on, but only if you’re an expert. If you’re a beginner, the 23rd is your session.

Rusty

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