Algarrobo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s cooking for Algarrobo.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a tricky run ahead. The water’s sitting at about 57°, which is pretty standard for this time of year – nothing wild going on there. The first few days are a write-off. Thursday and Friday (the 6th and 7th of August) are messy: cross to cross-onshore winds in the 12-15 mph range are just chopping everything up, and the wave comment says it all – poor conditions. The swell is there, around 5ft to 7ft, but the wind’s killing it.

We do get a glimmer on Saturday morning the 8th. There’s a solid 10ft groundswell from the SW with a long 14-second period, and the combined energy is pumping at 3097 (strong to very strong). The wind is a gentle cross-shore from the south at 9 mph, which is workable. But the forecast flags it as marginal, possibly due to tide. That size is pushing into expert territory. If you’re experienced and can pick your moment, it’s the biggest and most powerful we’ll see, but don’t expect perfection.

Sunday the 9th through Monday the 10th is still on the messy side. Swell hangs around 7ft to 8ft, but that cross-on wind is a persistent buzzkill. The combined energy stays high (up to 3187 on Sunday afternoon), but the conditions are described as poor or marginal. Not a good look for a clean session.

After that, we hit a real flat spot. From Tuesday the 11th all the way through to Saturday the 15th, the swell drops way down – between 1ft and 4ft – and the wind is almost always cross-on. The energy numbers fall off a cliff, dipping as low as 151 (weak). There’s a day on Thursday the 13th with a bit of offshore wind (SW, 3 mph) and a 4ft swell from the WSW at a very long 16 seconds, but the score is low and it’s labelled marginal. It might be glassy and clean, but the size is tiny. A longboarder might find a nugget, but that’s it.

Things start to look slightly better from Sunday the 16th onwards. That afternoon, we get a 5ft swell from the WSW with a 14-second period, and the wind swings onshore from the SW at 9 mph. It’s a step in the right direction, and the combined energy is back to 904 (moderate). Monday the 17th keeps that trend: 6ft to 6ft, light cross-on winds, and energy in the 1200-1300 range. Still not clean, but more size and power.

The real standout of the whole period, if you’re willing to wait, is Tuesday the 18th of August. The morning session sees a 7ft SW groundswell with a 14-second period, the wind is a light cross-shore from the NNW at 6 mph, and the combined energy is a solid 1712 (strong). The wave comment is marginal, but that wind and swell combo could line up nicely at this reef/pier setup. It’s the best balance of size, power, and potential for clean conditions we get.

After that, Wednesday the 19th through Friday the 21st fades out. Winds get stronger again (19 mph on Wednesday afternoon – that’s fresh and lumpy), and the swell drops back to 4ft to 7ft with poor or marginal ratings.

So, here’s the bottom line: if you’re after a true standout, pin your hopes on Saturday morning the 8th for the biggest, most powerful swell (10ft, SW, 14s), but it’s for experts only with that size and a bit of cross-chop. For the best overall chance of a decent wave with cleaner conditions, Tuesday morning the 18th is your call – 7ft, SW, long period, and light cross-shore wind. That’s the one that could really deliver.

Stay patient, and keep an eye on the wind shifts.

Rusty.

Read more