Figueira da Foz - Cabedelo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s shaping up for the Figueira da Foz area. The first few days are a bit of a write-off, but once we get past the weekend, there are some windows of clean, lined-up swell worth getting excited about.

The water’s sitting at 65°F, which is a bit colder than you’d expect for this time of year. That anomaly of -2°F is notable, so you’ll want a decent wetsuit, especially for the morning sessions.

We’ve got a solid gap with no real recommendations right at the start. Friday the 11th is a total no-go with a weak 3ft swell from the NNW, a short period of 5 seconds, and a messy cross-on wind. The energy is basically nothing (83), and you’d be wasting your time.

Saturday the 12th morning, however, is a glimmer of hope. We’ve got a tiny jump to 4ft from the NW with a glassy surface off a NE breeze at just 3 mph. The period is still short at 7 seconds, and the energy is moderate (156). It’s small and not world-class, but for a beginner-friendly spot like Cabedelo, it’s the first chance to wet a line. Crowds are possible there.

Sunday morning the 13th is where it gets interesting. Glassy conditions again with a light easterly, and the swell bumps up to 3ft from the NW. The big news is the period jumps to 13 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy. The combined energy is a solid 393 (moderate). This will produce much cleaner, better-shaped waves. The long period will make it a bit straighter at this beach/pier setup, but for the size, it should still offer some fun corners. This is the first standout of the forecast.

Monday the 14th morning repeats the trick: glassy, 3ft NW swell at 11 seconds, energy of 264. Again, small but very clean. The mornings are your only chance, as the afternoons get chopped by a cross-onshore breeze.

Tuesday the 15th and Wednesday the 16th are a mixed bag. Tuesday is small and choppy. Wednesday morning the 16th, we see a big jump in size – 8ft from the NNW, but the period drops to 9 seconds (windswell), and the wind is a strong cross-shore at 19 mph. The energy is huge (1080), but this is what we call “too big for the break”. For Cabedelo, this is expert-only territory and won’t be any fun for a regular surfer.

By Thursday the 17th, the swell drops back to a more manageable 6ft from the NNW with a cross-off breeze in the morning. The period is still short at 9 seconds, so it’ll be a bit bumpy and weak, but the wind is clean. It’s a marginal call.

Friday the 18th and Saturday the 19th are similar stories – waist-to-chest high, moderate energy, but always some cross or cross-on wind messing up the afternoon sessions. You’d be scratching for a corner.

Now, here’s the real prize. Sunday the 20th morning (20 September) is a beauty. 4ft of NW swell at 11 seconds, with a light N wind giving cross-off conditions. The energy is 295 (moderate) and it’ll be clean. That’s a solid small-wave day with shape.

Then, Monday the 21st morning (21 September) is the standout of the entire outlook. You’ve got an offshore breeze from the east at just 3 mph, almost glassy. The swell is 3ft, but the period is a very long 14 seconds. The energy is a moderate 437. The direction is NW, which works for Cabedelo. This is going to be clean, smooth, and surprisingly fun if you’ve got a log or a fish. This is the morning to clear your schedule.

Tuesday the 22nd morning is also clean with a cross-off breeze and a solid 4ft NW swell at 11 seconds. Wednesday the 23rd morning is glassy again with 4ft NW swell at 11 seconds. The mornings in this second week are consistently clean.

Thursday the 24th is back to small, weak, and messy. Friday the 25th morning (25 September) throws up another big one – 8ft from the NW at 14 seconds, with glassy conditions. The energy is enormous (2633). However, just like the 16th, this swell is too big for Cabedelo. Unless you are an expert looking for a paddle-out at a different spot, skip it.

Finally, Saturday the 26th morning (26 September) closes out the forecast with 5ft from the NW at 11 seconds, clean cross-off winds from the SSE, and energy of 689. This is a strong, glassy, and very good session for anyone comfortable in head-high surf.

So, your best bets are the mornings from the 13th through the 14th for small clean waves, and then the absolute standouts: Sunday the 20th and Monday the 21st mornings. If you can only do one, make it Monday the 21st at Cabedelo.

Stay stoked, and don’t sleep on that offshore breeze.

Rusty

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