Ano Nuevo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, gang, Rusty here, and I gotta level with you – this 16-day stretch at Ano Nuevo is a real tease. We’ve got swell on the charts, but the wind is gonna be a total buzzkill for most of it. Classic case of "almost, but not quite."

The overall pattern is a building WNW swell getting hammered by a persistent cross-shore wind. The water temp is about 59°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, but that’s the only silver lining.

Your first real look comes on Saturday, July 18th in the morning. There’s a 0.8-ft groundswell from the SW with a long 17-second period, and the combined energy is moderate (590). The wind is a gentle cross-shore, which is the best we’ll see for a while, but the forecast still calls it marginal. For a spot that’s inconsistent, you’d be lucky to get a clean one.

The next week is a grind of cross-shore winds and messy surf. The swell stays small, mostly under 3 ft, and the wind is a constant 12-15 mph from the NW, keeping a lumpy chop on the surface. The combined energy will spike up to 836 on the 24th, but it’s still being chewed up by the wind. The crowds are a "sometimes" thing, so you might have it to yourself, but that’s because the conditions are just poor.

We do get a glimmer of hope on Saturday, July 25th. The morning sees a 4-ft S swell with a 13-second period and a strong combined energy of 1029. The winds are still cross, but it’s considered marginal. Then in the afternoon, a different pulse arrives – a 2-ft SSW swell with a *very* long 21-second period and a combined energy of 1097 (strong). That’s a proper groundswell, but that super-long period can make a beach-and-reef setup like this close out. Still, it’s the best-looking wave of the whole run.

The final days drift back into small, onshore slop. Sunday, July 26th morning has a 4-ft S swell with a combined energy of 1423 (very strong), but it’s coming with an onshore wind. That setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, if you ask me.

So, for the one true standout, I’d point you to the afternoon of Saturday, July 25th. That 2-ft, 21-second SSW groundswell has the energy and the period to make the long right-hander at Ano Nuevo (Big Sur coast) work if you’re an expert. The wind is a moderate cross-shore, so it’s not perfect, but it’s the best you’re going to get. Don’t plan on a session full of waves.

Rusty.

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