Ano Nuevo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what this 16-day stretch has in store. Right off the bat, I gotta tell ya, it’s a bit of a slow grind ahead. We’re looking at a long stretch of pretty ordinary conditions, but there’s a little glimmer of something promising right at the very end.

First up, all the action, or lack of it, is at Ano Nuevo. This spot is a beach and reef setup, but she’s sheltered and inconsistent, so she needs everything to line up just right. Right now, she’s not getting it. From Wednesday the 15th right through until about the 24th of July, it’s just a run of poor surf. The wind is coming in cross or cross-on from the NW and WNW all day, every day, messing up any chance of clean waves. Swell heights are mostly between 2 ft and 6 ft, but the period is short – mostly 8 seconds – so the waves are weak and without any punch. The combined energy is moderate, bouncing around between 321 and 997, but with that wind, it’s just a messy, bumpy ocean. The water temp is sitting at a very unusual 60°, which is a massive 4° warmer than normal for mid-July, so it’s much warmer than you’d expect for this time of year.

We go through a gap where there’s nothing really worth getting wet for. The weekend of the 18th and 19th sees a few tiny long-period swells creeping in at 16 to 17 seconds, but heights are only 2 ft to 3 ft, so you’d be lucky to get a dribble. The energy is moderate, but it’s still cross-shore and messy.

Then, around Thursday the 24th of July, things start to look a bit different. The swell direction swings around to the SSW, which is closer to that SW optimum for Ano Nuevo. But more importantly, the period jumps to a very long 24 seconds and the combined energy surges to a strong 1516 on the afternoon. The problem? The wind is still cross-on from the WNW, turning what could be a clean, long-period groundswell into a choppy mess. This is a tease – the energy is there, but the winds ain't helping.

Here’s where the one true standout sits. If you are an experienced surfer looking for a window of opportunity, keep your eyes peeled for the morning of Saturday the 25th of July. We’ve got a solid 5 ft of S swell with a 15-second period and the combined energy is cooking at a very strong 1768. What makes this the best bet is the light breeze from the WNW. It’s cross-shore, but with light wind, you’re going to get some clean lines with only a small amount of wind ripple. The swell direction isn't quite perfect, but the combination of size, long period, and lighter wind makes it the pick of the whole run. The afternoon picks up the wind and gets choppy, so it's a small window.

After that, the surf drops off again and it’s back to mediocrity through the end of the month. For the beginners out there, that 5 ft on the 25th might be pushing it, especially on a beach and reef combo service.

So, bottom line: If you’re desperate, the morning of Saturday the 25th of July at Ano Nuevo is the only real highlight. The rest is a waiting game. For the long range, there’s potential for solid energy, but it’s less certain. Keep an eye on the sky.

Rusty.

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