Castelejo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Yo, it’s Rusty. Let’s talk about Castelejo. Normally this spot can pump, but looking at the next 16 days, it’s proper lean. We’re in for a long, scratchy stretch before any glimmer shows up.

Right now, Tuesday the 18th through to Sunday the 30th, it’s mostly a bust. There are small waves on the Tuesday and Wednesday, like 2 ft to 3 ft, with some clean conditions early Wednesday morning (2 ft from the NNW with offshore SSE breeze) – that’s the best we get for the first week, but frankly, the energy is pathetic (60). Not worth getting wet for anything more than a longboard if you’re desperate.

Then from Thursday the 20th onward, it gets ugly. Lots of onshore and cross-onshore wind, mostly from the NNW and NW, cranking up to 22-25 mph. The swell is all over the place, but the wind just ruins it. Choppy, lumpy, blown-out. By Saturday the 22nd, we’ve got 5 ft of NNW swell at 10 seconds, but with 16 mph cross-onshore and combined energy hitting 513, it’s just messy. Not surfable. This poor run continues deep into the week of the 25th – tiny, weak windswell with periods dropping to 4-5 seconds and some proper onshore gales. Honestly, this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing if you’re into that.

There is a brief period of slightly cleaner winds around Saturday the 30th and Sunday the 31st. Saturday morning the 30th sees a 6 ft NW swell (period 7 seconds) with light cross-shore from the SW, only 6 mph – energy is moderate (362). The afternoon improves: 7 ft from the NW, still light cross-shore, and the score nudges up to a 2. A little better, but still short-period and a bit wonky. For a beach and reef setup like Castelejo, that longer-period groundswell isn’t here – it’s all short, fat waves.

The best on offer is a toss-up, and honestly, it’s not much. The early Wednesday morning 19th August with 2 ft and offshore SSE breeze is as clean as it gets, but tiny. The other standout, if you’re patient, is Sunday afternoon the 30th August: 7 ft NW, light SW cross-shore, moderate energy (530). It’s not amazing, but for this stretch, that’s your best shot for a few punchy, if messy, waves. Crowds are possible – Castelejo can get busy when there’s anything rideable, so expect company.

Water temp? No anomaly mentioned here, so it’s about average for the time of year – fine for a summer wetsuit.

That’s it, mate. This forecast is not kind. I’d be checking back in a few days – forecasts can change, and it can’t stay this flat forever.

Rusty.

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