Ano Nuevo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let's be straight with you. I've looked at the forecast for Ano Nuevo, and it's a tough stretch ahead. We've got a 16-day window, but honestly, the surf just isn't cooperating for most of it. The first few days are basically a write-off. We're looking at tiny, weak swell and cross-onshore winds that will chop up whatever is breaking. It's the kind of flat, bumpy conditions that'll have you checking your board for dings out of sheer boredom.

The water's sitting at 57.9°, which is just about normal for this time of year, so nothing weird there. But the waves, or lack of them, are the story. The energy is weak, and the short periods mean it's just not worth the paddle.

Now, towards the end of the first week and into the second, we see that deep-water South swell energy start to show itself in the numbers. The combined energy ramps up, hitting over 400 on Saturday the 8th and really pushing into the 500s and 600s by the following week. But, and it's a big but, the swell height stays stubbornly small. We're talking chest-high at best, and the wind direction just keeps messing with us, keeping things cross-shore or cross-on. The period is long, though, with some 16-19 second groundswell in the mix, which would be great if it had any size behind it. It just means the little swell we do get will be super clean and lined up, making the most of the energy.

The only time this spot starts to look interesting is around Saturday the 15th. We've got a 3.6ft SSW swell with a 16-second period, and the morning wind is light and onshore. The energy is up to 702, which is the strongest we see. It's still not big, but it's the best of a bad bunch. The conditions are called "marginal," so you'd be chasing a few clean ones, not scoring barrels. Sunday the 16th is similar, with a 3.3ft SSW swell and light winds, but the period drops slightly to 16 seconds. These are the moments to be out there, but don't expect a circus.

Honestly, if you're a beginner, this entire window is a no-go. Even the "bigger" days at 3.3-4.6ft are small, but the real problem is the choppy, wind-affected surface. For the experienced crew, there are a few windows of opportunity, but they're short and require a keen eye on the wind. The setup at Ano Nuevo is a beach and reef mix, and with the prevailing conditions, it honestly looks more like it could be a fun day for the kite surfers than for us paddle surfers on the windier afternoons.

So, the long and short of it is: don't get your hopes up. The swell is there, but it's all show and no go. The most promising day in the whole run is that Saturday the 15th. Keep that in mind, but know it's a promise that's far from certain. Fingers crossed the forecast changes, but for now, keep the board in the rack and the wax in the drawer.

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