Carola Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Well, folks, it’s Rusty here, and I’ve got to be straight with you. We’re looking at a real dry spell on the horizon. For the next 16 days, there is nothing that comes close to a decent wave. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but that’s the reality of this stretch.

The only spot we’ve got any data on is Carola, a reef break that’s fairly consistent, but the ocean just isn’t cooperating. For the entire window, the swell is tiny, mostly under 1ft, and often completely flat. The energy in the water is weak, with readings like (42) and (30) early on, and dropping to single digits for most of the period. That’s just not enough to push a wave over a reef.

The first few days, starting Wednesday the 9th, there’s a small, weak NW swell at 11 seconds, but with a cross-off wind, it’s just not doing anything. The wave comment says it all: poor surf conditions. This is the case for the entire first week. We’re seeing a lot of days with no swell at all and the wind staying cross or cross-off, which is just messy. There are gaps of several days with absolutely no surf on offer, just flat calm and some chop.

Going into the middle of the month, the 15th brings a little pulse of 0.7ft at 14 seconds, but the energy is a weak (20). That long period isn't helping a beach break that isn't here, but at this size, it's pointless. The 17th and 18th see similar tiny, short-period scraps of swell, but nothing that will have you reaching for your board. The winds, while sometimes clean, are mostly cross-shore, adding a bit of chop to an already flat ocean.

The second week continues the same story. There are a few small bumps around the 20th, with 0.7ft from the NNW at 8 seconds, but with energy at (6), it’s not going to break the surface. It’s just a lot of nothing.

Look, the water temp at the first mention of a surf spot is 78°, which is 9° warmer than normal. That’s very unusual, so if you're just keen for a swim, the water will feel great. But for surfing, this is a blank run. It’s one of those times where the ocean just switches off. It happens.

The conditions are so poor, and the swell so insignificant, that from a surfer’s standpoint, there is nothing to get excited about. Given the lack of swell and the not-so-great winds, places like this might be more interesting for the kite crowd than paddle surfers. But for us? It’s time to find another hobby for a couple of weeks.

Forecasts can change, but right now, I wouldn't hold my breath. The lineup is going to be quiet, that’s for sure.

Rusty out.

Read more