Cabo Lastres Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s look at what’s coming up for our stretch of coast. The first few days are pretty much a dead loss, so don’t bother paddling out unless you just want to float. It’s not until Thursday the 20th that things start to wake up, and even then, it’s a slow burn. But stick with it, because the end of the month and start of September have something worth waiting for.

Right now, Monday the 17th is flat and messy. Tiny 2ft NW swell, cross-on wind, weak energy (44). The water is sitting at 73°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so that’s a nice bonus if you’re just dipping your toes. Tuesday and Wednesday stay small and uninspiring, with the odd glassy moment on Wednesday morning but only 0.7ft of swell – not enough to surf.

The first real sign of life comes on Thursday the 20th morning. The swell picks up to 4ft from the NNW, with a period of 11 seconds, and the wind is glassy offshore from the NW. That’s clean. Energy is moderate (328). Cabo Lastres (a point break that’s fairly exposed to swell) should start to show some lines. It’s an expert-only break, consistent, and the optimum swell direction is NW, so this is right in its wheelhouse. Crowds are possible but not guaranteed. The caveat is the swell direction is a touch north of the optimum, but it’s close enough to get some good ones. Thursday afternoon and Friday have some rain and light cross-on wind, so the quality drops.

Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd are a mixed bag – small, choppy, or rain affected. Not worth the drive.

Now, keep your eyes on Friday the 28th. Friday morning is the standout of the whole period. The swell jumps to 8ft from the WNW, with a period of 7 seconds – short period, so it’ll be a bit lumpy and powerful, but glassy offshore wind from the WNW, calm conditions. Energy is strong (843). This is expert territory, and it’s going to be big and punchy. Cabo Lastres handles this size well, but it’s only for the experienced. The afternoon sees 10ft from the NW, period 10 seconds, and the wind goes onshore from the N, so the morning is the window.

Then, Saturday the 29th – this is the big one. Saturday morning delivers 13ft from the NW, with a 13-second period – that’s proper groundswell, very long period. Energy is massive (5444). Glassy conditions with a light offshore breeze from the WNW. This is the kind of day that gets the heart pumping. For a point break like Cabo Lastres, that long period will wrap in beautifully, holding shape. It’s only for experts, and it’s going to be a full-on session. The afternoon stays big but picks up a light cross-on wind, so morning is the go.

Sunday the 30th drops back to 6ft from the NW, still decent but not as clean. Then into the first week of September, we’ve got some 5ft to 7ft days with moderate cross-shore wind. The Tuesday morning of September 1st has 5ft from the NW with a period of 11 seconds and a gentle cross breeze – surfable, but not the standout.

Overall, the best bet is the morning of Friday the 28th for size and clean conditions, but the absolute standout is the morning of Saturday the 29th – that’s the one you circle on the calendar. Big, powerful, glassy, and long period. Just remember, it’s a long-range call, so keep an eye on the updates.

Rusty.

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