Zambujeira do Mar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Monday’s got a bit of life in it, but honestly, the first few days are pretty slim. We’re looking at a slow start, with nothing worth paddling out for until things start to build towards the back half of the week. The swell’s just not there yet, and the wind’s got a nasty cross-on feel to it for most of the early week. You’ll see some small, weak stuff rolling through, but it’s going to be messy and choppy – not worth getting wet for unless you’re desperate.

Come Thursday morning, though, things change. That’s when the swell starts to push up to around 8ft, and the wind swings offshore – light out of the NNE. It’s clean, and there’s some serious energy behind it (1351). Zambujeira do Mar will be holding that size, but it’s a fair bit of water for a spot like this – getting close to that expert territory. If you’ve got the skills, it could be a proper session, but it’s not one for the faint-hearted. The afternoon, though, gets sloppy again with the cross-on breeze picking up, so make the most of the morning window.

Friday morning is where I’d point you. The swell drops back a touch to around 6ft, still out of the NW with that clean cross-off wind. It’s got some push (604), and the conditions are looking tidy. That’s a solid, fun wave for the intermediate crew – not too big, not too small, and the lines should be holding nicely.

Then we’ve got a bit of a mixed bag over the weekend. Saturday morning has some size – 7ft – but the wind is a bit iffy, more cross than anything, and the guidance is calling it marginal. There’s energy there (1667), but the tide and wind combo might make it a bit lumpy. Sunday morning is better – 5ft – clean offshore wind, and it’s glassy early. That’s a proper grovel session, but the quality should be there.

Now, the real standout. Monday the 25th. That’s the one to circle. We’ve got a solid 5ft of NW swell with a 14-second period, and the wind is dead glass – just a slight air out of the NNE. That’s about as clean as it gets. The energy’s solid (1040), and the spot should be firing with long, lined-up waves. It’s a bit bigger than the last few days, but still within that sweet spot for experienced surfers. If you can only pick one session in this window, make it that one.

After that, things start to taper off into the following week. The 26th has a bit of leftover swell – 5ft – with clean offshore winds in the morning. It’ll be worth a look, but the size is backing off. The 27th drops further to around 3ft, and while the morning is clean and glassy, it’s getting pretty small. By the 28th and 29th, the swell’s fading out and the wind’s turning against us again, so don’t expect much.

Overall, the best bet is that Monday morning the 25th – glassy, good size, clean lines. Thursday the 17th has the biggest swell but it’s a lot of water for the spot, so that’s one for the experts only. Friday the 18th and Sunday the 20th are also worth a paddle if you can get out early. Crowds are possible at Zambujeira do Mar – it’s a spot that draws a few heads when it’s on – but if you time it right, you’ll get your share.

Rusty

Read more