Cabarete Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab your board and listen up. It’s Rusty here, and I’ve been staring at the charts for our stretch of coast, and I gotta be straight with you: it’s looking pretty bleak for the next week and a half. We’re in for a serious flat spell, so don’t be in a hurry to wax up.

The water’s sitting at a warm 84°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, so at least it’ll be a nice swim.

For the first stretch, from Monday the 17th through to the 24th, there’s just nothing doing. We’re looking at dribbly, short-period windswell, mostly from the east, with persistent cross-onshore winds. The energy is weak, with combined swell energy readings between 77 and 218. It’s going to be choppy, lumpy, and basically unrideable. If you’re desperate for a paddle, you might find a closeout, but it’s not worth the effort. This is a long stretch of nothing, so maybe catch up on some sleep.

Then, there’s a flicker of life on Tuesday the 25th. We see a big jump in size to 10ft, and the period stretches out to 11-12 seconds. The energy readings jump into the four digits – 2763 and 2510 – which tells you there’s some real power behind it. But here’s the catch: it’s coming with a cross-on wind, and the forecast notes say it’s marginal, with questionable tide conditions. It’s a raw, powerful swell, but it’s going to be a messy mix. For the experienced crew, it might be worth a look, but it’s not the clean, organized swell we dream about.

The next day, Wednesday the 26th, is where the one true standout shows its face. The swell drops back to a still-chunky 6ft from the east, and the wind swings around to a light offshore from the NNW at 6 mph. That right there is the magic combination. It’s the cleanest we’re going to see it in this whole window. The energy is still moderate at 560, but with that light wind, the reef at Cabarete could clean up nicely. It’s an intermediate spot that’s consistent, and while it’s exposed, this is the day to be out there. If you can only surf one day, make it Wednesday the 26th.

After that, it’s back to the grind. From Thursday the 27th through the end of the forecast on Tuesday the 1st of September, we’re right back to small, weak, onshore slop. Winds pick back up from the east, the period drops back to 7-8 seconds, and the energy is back down in the low hundreds. The swell stays around 3-5ft, but it’s just not going to have any push or shape. We’re back to closeouts and chop.

So, here’s the bottom line: Don’t hold your breath for the next week. The one bright spot is Wednesday the 26th, with that offshore wind and a decent chest-to-head-high easterly swell. That’s your window. It’s a promise, but for a day out, it’s got the makings of something special. Everything else is a wash.

Rusty, out.

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