Cardiel (Mar del Plata) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag on our hands for the next couple of weeks. The first few days are pretty flat and ordinary, but there’s some serious size brewing for the second weekend. Let’s break it down.

Right now, Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th are a write-off. Cardiel (Mar del Plata) is seeing tiny 2 ft to 3 ft waves out of the east with cross-shore winds and messy conditions – combined wave energy is weak at 94 to 154. Not worth suiting up.

Wednesday the 19th offers a little hope. We get 1 ft from the east, but the wind goes offshore and clean in the afternoon, with the energy sitting at 56. It’s small, but for a total beginner, those tiny ankle-biters might be surfable. Don’t get your hopes up though.

From Thursday the 20th through to early Friday the 21st, it’s back to poor surf – practically flat with 1 ft waves and messy cross-shore winds.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Friday afternoon the 21st, a pulse of south swell arrives at 6 ft, period 8 seconds, but the wind is howling cross-shore at 16 mph, making it a choppy mess (combined energy 446). Not a goer.

Saturday the 22nd is the standout. Cardiel gets a solid 10 ft swell out of the SSW in the morning, with a period of 9 seconds and northwest winds offshore – clean conditions. The combined wave energy is pumping at 2025 (moderate-strong). But look, this is a beginner spot, and 10 ft waves are way too big for learners – this is strictly for experts only. Afternoon sees 8 ft from the south with clean cross-off winds. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, which is no surprise.

Sunday the 23rd is a loss. The swell jumps to 12 ft, but winds are howling strong cross-shore at 28 mph and the energy is massive at 2699. Totally blown out and messy, even for the pros.

Monday the 24th brings a big improvement. We get 6 ft from the SSE with a 11-second period, light cross-off wind, and clean conditions. Energy is 793, so you’ve got some power. This is about as good as it gets for this break – moderate size, clean, and some solid groundswell. Just keep an eye on the tide.

Tuesday the 25th morning pulls back to 4 ft from the SSE, still clean, light winds, and a 9-second period. Good for a fun morning session, nothing epic. The water’s still around the seasonal average.

From Wednesday the 26th through Friday the 28th, the swell drops back to tiny 2 ft – 3 ft and the winds turn cross-shore. Ordinary to poor conditions, with energy falling below 100.

Saturday the 29th morning offers a tiny 2 ft swell but with a long 11-second period from the SSE, clean and light, but barely rideable. Sunday the 30th afternoon bumps up to 4 ft from the ESE, but it’s marginal.

Now, the real highlight in the second week is Monday the 31st and Tuesday the 1st of September. Monday morning delivers 5 ft from the ESE, 11-second period, clean, light offshore breeze. By the afternoon it’s 5 ft from the same direction, period 12 seconds, glassy smooth. Energy is 706, so moderate power. Tuesday morning the 1st holds at 5 ft from the ESE, still clean. This is the best on offer – solid chest-to-head-high groundswell, clean, and at a size that’s still doable for stronger beginners and fun for everyone. It’s a long-range call so keep an eye on the forecasts, but it’s looking promising.

Overall, Saturday the 22nd is the big-wave highlight for experts, while the 31st and 1st of September are the sweet spot for the rest of us.

Rusty.

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