Cardiel (Mar del Plata) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s break it down in feet and miles.

First up, we’re lookin’ at Cardiel (Mar del Plata). It’s a beginner-friendly, fairly consistent spot, exposed to the swell, with its optimum direction from the SSE. Water temp is about average for this time of year, so nothin’ wild there.

Right off the bat, the first few days are a bit of a write-off. Tuesday and Wednesday are small and choppy – just not worth paddlin’ out. Thursday morning the 24th sees a spike in energy with a 2ft swell from the south, but the period is 12 seconds, so it’s got some shape. The wind is a messy cross-shore though, so it’s still a poor surf call. By Friday morning the 25th, we get a bit of a window. The swell drops to 2ft from the south, but the wind goes clean and cross-offshore. The water goes glassy. It’s only small, but it’s surfable. That’s the first real chance to get wet.

Saturday the 26th through Tuesday the 29th are all small, clean, but very weak. Swell heights hover around 2ft to 2ft, with periods around 8-9 seconds. The wind is cross-off or offshore, so the waves will be clean, but there’s just not enough push to get excited. The combined energy is low, between 56 and 95. It’s a flat spell, simple and plain.

Now, here’s the standout. On Thursday the 30th of July, the swell jumps up to 6ft from the south, with a period of 7 seconds. The combined energy hits 372 – that’s moderate to strong. The wind is a moderate cross-shore though, so it’s gonna be a bit messy. This is a big wave for the spot, but with the short period and cross-wind, it’s gonna be lumpy. It’s a better option for experienced surfers, maybe even more interesting for kite surfers than paddle surfing. The following day, Friday the 31st, holds 4ft from the south with an 11-second period and light cross-shore winds. The energy is up at 395, but the wind is light, so it could clean up. Still, the conditions are described as marginal.

The first week of August sees a lot of onshore wind and rain. Sunday the 2nd has a 7ft SSW swell with a 7-second period, but it’s onshore and messy. That’s expert-only territory, and with the wind howling, it’s gonna be a washout. Monday the 3rd has 5ft from the south with a 10-second period, but again, onshore winds. The energy is 430, so there’s power, but it’s not clean.

The best call in the whole run? Honestly, it’s a tough one. The cleanest, most user-friendly surf will be Friday morning the 25th of July. It’s only 2ft from the south, but with glassy, cross-offshore winds, it’ll be clean and fun for a beginner. For a bit more size, Thursday the 30th has the biggest swell, but the wind is a problem. There’s no perfect day here, but if you’re keen, the 25th is your best bet for a clean, small session.

Rusty

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