Figueira da Foz - Cabedelo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks. Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s cooking for Figueira da Foz. I’ll be straight with you – this isn’t a run for the groms to get stoked about. The first few days are a total washout, and the real juice is both big and tricky.

The pattern is a slow start, then a big pulse of energy that hits later in the week. After that, the swell hangs around, but the wind and size keep it challenging.

Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th are a complete write-off. Rain, fresh cross-shore winds, and a weak, short-period swell from the SW. The water is about average for this time of year. Wave energy is low, barely getting into the triple digits (808 on Monday morning). Don’t bother.

Wednesday the 26th and Thursday the 27th are still poor. The wind is onshore, the swell is bigger but still a messy, short-period chop. Energy picks up to 650 on Thursday morning, but it’s just lumpy.

Now, Friday the 28th is the big one, but it’s a massive caveat. The swell cranks up to a solid 12 feet from the WNW, with a very long period of 12 seconds. The wave energy is insane (3025 in the morning). This is expert-only territory. For a beach/pier break like Cabedelo, a long-period swell this big can be unruly and close out. The wind is a light cross-onshore from the NW, which will keep it clean, but the size is the whole story. If you’re not a charger, you’re watching from the beach.

Saturday the 29th is a big drop. The swell is down to a modest 5 feet, but the wind is still cross-onshore and the energy is low (314). It’s a marginal day.

Sunday the 30th and Monday the 31st are small and weak again. Swell is under 4 feet, wind is a problem, and energy is pathetic (94 on Sunday). Not worth the paddle.

Tuesday the 1st of September shows a bump, with a 7-foot NW swell and a period of 10 seconds. The wind is cross-shore, but it’s a fresh breeze (30 km/h) that creates a lumpy chop. Energy is moderate (752), but the conditions are poor.

Wednesday the 2nd of September is another tease. The swell is 7 feet from the NNW, but with a short period of 8 seconds. The cross-shore wind is moderate, but it’s still a messy, lumpy setup. Energy is moderate (542). This is too big for beginners and messy for most.

Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th are a mess of onshore wind and moderate, short-period swell. Not recommended.

Saturday the 5th of September is the last real standout, and it’s another one for the experts. Swell is a solid 8 to 10 feet from the NNW, with a period of 9 seconds. Energy is very strong (1324 to 1751). The wind is cross-onshore, making it choppy. This is a big, powerful, messy swell.

Sunday the 6th and Monday the 7th see a total change. The period jumps to a very long 18 seconds, from the WNW. The height is only 4 to 5 feet, but the energy is still strong (1431). This is a fascinating setup. The swell is small, but the period is so long it will wrap around and offer clean, long lines. The wind is light, and the water is calm. This could be a sneaky good session for the experienced surfer who knows where the long-period groundswell works best. It’s a *marginal* call, but it has potential.

Tuesday the 8th of September is back to the small, weak, and marginal theme.

So, to wrap it up. The best genuine surf on offer is Friday the 28th of August, but only for the experts. The next real chance for a non-scary wave is Sunday the 6th of September, when the long-period groundswell arrives. It’s small, but the quality could be there.

Stay safe, and don’t get in over your head.

Rusty.

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