Castelejo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Gotta be straight with you—this stretch for Castelejo is a complete washout. We’re looking at a solid 16-day run with nothing that’s really worth paddling out for. The finder has drawn a blank, which is a real shame, but it does happen here. Let’s break it down day by day so you know what we’re up against.

We start Saturday, July 25th, and it’s a no-go. A 4ft NW swell hitting on a 7-second period is weak and short, combined swell energy is just 176 (moderate), but the wind is a cross-on NNW breeze at 16 mph, so it’s choppy and messy. Afternoon is worse—on-shore wind, 19 mph, 5ft swell, energy of 217, but it’s blown out. Sunday, July 26th, same sorry story: 5ft from NNW, period still 7 seconds, energy up to 224, but cross-on or on-shore winds from the north at 19-22 mph. It’s lumpy, ugly, not surfable.

Monday, July 27th, we get a glimmer—a small window. Morning winds shift to a light E at 6 mph, cross-offshore, which gives us clean conditions. The swell is 4ft from NNW, period 7 seconds, energy 167 (moderate). It’s surfable, but very ordinary. Afternoon is similar with a 3ft swell, still clean. Honestly, if you’re desperate and a beginner, you could wobble around on a foamboards, but it’s not worth the hype.

Then the rest of the week is a total write-off. Tuesday, July 28th, the swell drops to 3ft, period stretches to 9-10 seconds, but the wind is on or cross-on. Energy is 165-219, but poor surf conditions. Wednesday, July 29th, same—3ft, 9-second period, wind on-shore, energy 143. Thursday, July 30th, swell tanks to 1ft, energy drops to 87 (weak), and it’s just flat and messy. Friday, July 31st, through to Sunday, August 2nd, the swell stays tiny (1ft to 3ft), periods are short (4-5 seconds), energy is weak (55-140), and the wind is on-shore or cross-on. It’s a very dry spell.

The second week of the forecast doesn’t offer any relief. Monday, August 3rd, we see a jump in energy to 276 (moderate) with a 3ft WNW swell, 9-second period, but the wind is cross-on at 12 mph. By afternoon, the swell pushes to 6ft, energy rockets to 385, but the wind is on-shore at 22 mph—so it’s powerful, but blown out and messy. Tuesday, August 4th, the swell hits 6-7ft, energy 365-478, but again, cross-on and on-shore winds from the north at 19-22 mph. It’s lumpy, choppy, and only for the hardcore or those who like a beating. Wednesday, August 5th, through Friday, August 7th, it’s a similar pattern: 5ft to 6ft swell, energy from 333 to 436, but wind is always cross-on or on-shore, 16-19 mph. The surf is there, but it’s not clean. Saturday, August 8th, the swell drops to 4-4ft, energy 113-149, and the wind is fresh and on-shore. Sunday, August 9th, we finish with a 3ft swell, energy 154-187, and on-shore winds.

The water temperature is 67°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year (anomaly of -3°), so you’ll want a thicker suit. The best break is Castelejo itself—a beach and reef setup that’s very consistent and exposed to NW swell. It’s a beginner spot, but with the wind we’ve got, it’s not beginner-friendly. Crowds are possible at times, but with this quality, you’ll have it to yourself.

The only standout, if you can call it that, is Monday, July 27th, morning and afternoon. The wind is light and cross-off, giving you clean 4ft to 3ft waves. It’s not big, but it’s the cleanest wave in the whole run. The optimum swell direction is NW, and we’re getting NNW, so it’s a little off, but it’ll work. If you’re a beginner wanting a gentle session, that’s your window. For everyone else, it’s a long wait.

Rusty.

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