Cabo Lastres Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for the next stretch up at Cabo Lastres.

Straight up, I’ll be honest with you – this forecast is a tough one to swallow. For the first week, starting from Monday, 20 July right through the weekend, we’re lookin’ at a real flat, windy mess. Swell heights are mostly in the 1 ft to 7 ft range, but the problem is the wind. It’s locked in from the NE and ENE, blowin’ cross or cross-on at 6 to 12 mph, which is just tearin’ up the surface. The combined wave energy is actually pretty high in the middle of the week, hitting 444 (Tuesday afternoon) and 509 (Wednesday afternoon), but it’s all poor quality – cross-chop and wind ripples. There’s a small window on Thursday, 23 July, with a north onshore wind and a 3 ft wave, but it’s just not worth paddlin’ out for. Even the 7 ft on Tuesday is too big for beginners and the conditions are just too messy. Honestly, for a point break that likes a NW optimum, this is a bust.

Now, we finally get a little glimmer of hope on Monday, 27 July. The morning session is where it’s at – glassy conditions, slight air, and a 2 ft swell from the NNW. The period is 11 seconds, so there’s a bit of groundswell energy there, and the combined energy is 142 – weak but present. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there. This is the only real moment of calm in the first week, but the swell is tiny, so it’s a longboard or a foiler if you’re keen.

The second week gets a bit more interesting, but it’s still a mixed bag. Tuesday, 28 July, sees a bump in size with a 6 ft NNW swell, but the wind is a cross-on from the ENE at 9 mph, and the rain showers make it a real hassle. The energy is up to 403, but it’s choppy. Wednesday, 29 July, has a 5 ft to 6 ft NNW swell with a 12-second period, giving it some real grunt – energy hits 819 in the morning and 1000 in the afternoon. That’s a solid push of energy, but the cross-wind from the E at 9 to 15 mph is going to put a chop on it. This is more for the experienced lot, as the size is getting into the expert zone.

Then we get the standout. Thursday, 30 July, morning. Mark it down. The wind goes glassy from the NW, just a slight air, and the swell is 5 ft from the NNW with an 11-second period. The combined energy is 588 – moderate but solid. This is the best on offer for the whole forecast. Clean, lined-up waves at Cabo Lastres, with the optimum swell direction from the NW matching up. If you’re an expert surfer, this is the session to aim for. It’s not going to be huge, but it’ll be clean and fun. Crowds are possible here, so get in early.

After that, the weekend fades fast. Friday, 31 July, is a drop back to 3 ft with cross-winds, and into August, we’re back to tiny 1 ft to 2 ft waves with more cross-offshore junk. The last week of the forecast is a real flat spell, with combined energy dropping to 36 or 52, and nothin’ worth your time.

So, the long and short of it: it’s a long wait for a short window. The best call is Thursday, 30 July, morning. Glassy, 5 ft, NNW groundswell, and the point will be clean. If you’re a beginner, this whole month is a write-off – the swell that does arrive is over 5 ft and often windy. The middle of the first week had some big energy, but the wind wrecked it. Keep an eye on the forecasts, the blank runs are normal for this area, but it tends not to stay poor for long.

Rusty out.

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