Algarrobo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it for Algarrobo. This is a reef and pier setup, and it's a pretty consistent spot, so there’s plenty to talk about over the next couple of weeks.

We start off a bit grotty on Tuesday, the 18th of August. The morning has a 4.6ft SW swell, but that cross-on southerly wind at 9 mph has it chopped and messy. The afternoon doesn't get any better with 3.9ft swell and a stronger breeze. That's a session to sit out.

Now, hang on to your board, because Wednesday the 19th is where it really fires up. The morning brings a clean 5.9ft swell from the WSW with a 15-second period. That's proper groundswell, and with a light north wind blowing cross-offshore, the conditions are clean. The combined energy is pumping at 1649 (moderate to strong). This is a standout for experienced surfers. Then the afternoon goes glassy – a 3 mph westerly wind makes it dead calm, and the swell holds at 5.9ft with a 14-second period. That’s about as good as it gets. If you can get out there, Wednesday is the day.

Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st are a write-off. The wind swings back to a cross-on shore, speeds are up around 12 mph, and the swell gets messy. You’ll be battling chop, not surfing waves. The weekend is no better; Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd are poor, with the swell dropping right down to 1.3ft and the energy fading to just 190 (weak). There’s a gap of about four days of pretty average surf here.

We get a little glimmer on Monday the 24th afternoon. The swell is only 3.6ft, but the wind turns cross-offshore from the NE at 6 mph, and the water is clean. It’s small, but it’s rideable. Tuesday the 25th is glassy again in the afternoon with a 2ft swell, but it's tiny. Still, a clean 2ft is better than a choppy 4.9ft.

The real action picks up again on Thursday the 27th of August. The afternoon is glassy, with a 2.6ft swell from the WSW, but the period is a massive 18 seconds. That's an incredibly long groundswell, and the combined energy is 887 (moderate). It’s small, but it will be clean and lined up. That’s a sneaky good session.

Friday the 28th sees a bump in swell to 5.2ft with a 15-second period, but the wind is cross-on, so it’s a bit lumpy. The energy is solid at 1243 (strong), but the wind holds it back from being a classic.

Now, look out. Saturday the 29th of August morning brings a big 9.8ft swell from the WSW. That is a serious push, with energy at 2614 (very strong). This is for experts only. The wind is cross-shore, so it will be a bit of a beast to handle. The afternoon stays big at 8.2ft, but the wind picks up and makes it messy.

Sunday the 30th is still big, with a 6.9-7.2ft swell, but it's a bit softer. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual to report.

The best bet in the second week is Monday the 31st of August. The morning is glassy with a 5.9ft WSW swell, 11-second period, and the energy is 856 (moderate). The conditions will be clean and the waves will be solid. That’s a very strong option for a good session.

After that, it fades out again. Tuesday the 1st of September is poor, and Wednesday the 2nd has a 5.9ft swell but the wind is bad. So, to wrap it up: Wednesday the 19th of August is your absolute standout, with Thursday the 27th and Monday the 31st of August being the other top options. Don't sleep on that glassy Thursday.

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