Ajo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty, and I’ve been staring at the charts for Ajo, and I’ll be honest – for the most part, this stretch of coastline is lookin’ pretty ordinary for the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a long gap of flat, messy conditions ahead, so don’t be expectin’ much action for a while.

The first real glimpse of anything surfable isn’t until Wednesday morning, 26th August. The swell is tiny at 2ft from the WNW, period only 6 seconds – weak, short-period windswell, combined energy is just 50. It’s glassy though, with a light SE breeze, so if you’re desperate for a splash on a foamie, you might find a knee-high ripple. But it’s ordinary, nothing to write home about.

Thursday morning, 27th August, sees a slight bump to 3ft from the NW, period 8 seconds, and the energy climbs to 129. The wind is a clean cross-off from the SSW, so the face will be tidy. But the swell is still weak and the ratings are poor – it’s a choppy, gutless setup.

Now, Friday afternoon, 28th August, is where things get interesting. The swell jumps to 7ft from the NW, period 10 seconds, and the combined energy hits 817 – that’s moderate, solid energy. The wind is a cross-shore from the WNW, moderate breeze. Here’s the catch: it’s predicted to be too big for this break. Ajo is a beginner spot, and 7ft is pushing it for the average surfer. This is expert territory, and even then, the wave state is described as a moderate cross-shore with a cross-chop, so it’ll be messy. Not a good look for paddling.

Saturday morning, 29th August, cleans up nicely. The wind goes glassy, calm from the south, and the swell sits at 5ft from the NW, period 9 seconds. Energy is 325, moderate. The conditions are described as “expect good surf conditions” – that’s a stand-out window. The water temp is about average for the time of year, no anomaly to speak of. For a beginner-friendly break, this is your best bet: clean, head-high-ish waves, and the crowd situation says “often” busy, so expect company. The swell direction is NW, which is the optimum direction for this spot.

After that, we drop back into mediocrity. Sunday 30th has a 4ft NW swell but a cross-shore wind, and the energy is low. Monday 31st has a morning of 5ft NW swell, period 8 seconds, energy 279, but the wind is light cross-shore and the conditions are “marginal.” The rest of the first week of September is a mix of tiny, weak, or onshore slop.

Then, on Sunday morning, 6th September, we get a second stand-out. The swell is 4ft from the NW, period 11 seconds, and the combined energy is 337 – moderate. The wind is glassy, from the WNW, and the conditions are “expect good surf conditions.” That’s a clean, inviting morning, with a longer period giving the waves a bit of shape. Again, NW is the optimum direction for Ajo.

Finally, Monday morning, 7th September, brings a 4ft swell from the NNW, period 10 seconds, energy 562 – moderate to strong. The wind is a light cross-off from the east, and the conditions are “expect very good surf conditions.” This is the best forecast of the whole run, with clean, chest-high waves and a good energy level. The crowd factor is “often” busy, so it’ll be popular.

But hold on – Tuesday morning, 8th September, the swell surges to 8ft from the NW, period 10 seconds, and the energy is a massive 2171 – very strong. The wind is glassy, calm from the north. But again, it’s too big for this break. That’s expert-only territory, and even then, the wave state is glassy but the swell is overwhelming for a beginner spot. I’d say this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, if you’re into that.

So, to sum it up: the best windows are Saturday morning, 29th August, Sunday morning, 6th September, and especially Monday morning, 7th September. The rest is a long, flat-to-ugly wait. Keep your eyes on the charts, but don’t hold your breath.

Rusty.

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