Algajola Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you: the next week and a half is a bit of a write-off for any decent paddle surfing at Algajola. We’ve got a long stretch of tiny, weak waves or flat conditions for days on end. From Tuesday the 4th right through to, well, most of the first week, the swell is barely a ripple. You’ll see a little pulse of 0.7 ft to 1.0 ft with periods around 4 to 7 seconds, but the energy is pathetic – a reading of 1 (1) or 8 (8) – and the wind is often cross-onshore, making it messy. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so nothing special there.

The first real glimmer of hope comes on Friday morning, the 7th of August. We get a 4 ft swell from the west, period of 7 seconds, and the energy jumps to 156 (156). The wind is light and glassy in the morning, so the surf will be clean. It’s a small, beginner-friendly wave, but it’s inconsistent, so don’t expect a constant ride. The break is fairly exposed to the southwest swell, but the optimum direction is southwest, so it’s a decent match. Crowds are rare, which is a bonus.

The standout window, no question, is Sunday the 16th of August. The morning brings a solid 7 ft west swell with an 8-second period, and we’re looking at 593 (593) combined energy. The wind is glassy – dead calm – so the surf will be absolutely pristine. This is a proper wave, but at 7 ft, it’s pushing into expert territory for the bigger sets. The afternoon bumps up to 8 ft with a 9-second period, energy hitting 901 (901), but the wind swings onshore, which will make it lumpy. The morning is the pick.

Monday the 17th of August is also a strong option. The morning offers 6 ft west swell, 8-second period, 460 (460) energy, and again glassy conditions. That’s a clean, powerful wave for experienced surfers. The afternoon sees a similar size (5 ft) with a longer period (9 seconds) but onshore wind, so it’s not as good.

The break is inconsistent, and it’s a beginner spot by nature, so when the swell gets over 5 ft, it’s not for the learners. The longer-period swell (9 seconds) might break a bit too straight for a beach setup, but with the west swell direction and glassy morning winds, it’s still a fine prospect.

If you’re a kite surfer, the afternoons from mid-week with the cross-onshore winds and 3 ft to 5 ft swell might be more your thing, but for paddle surfing, it’s all about the mornings of the 16th and 17th of August. Keep your eyes on the forecasts for those days – they’re the best on offer.

Rusty.

Read more