Castelejo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks.

It’s been a rough patch and it’s going to stay that way for a while. We’re looking at a long stretch of poor conditions right through until the middle of next week. The only real glimmer of hope comes right at the end of the forecast. So, you’ll need some patience.

What we’ve got here is Castelejo, a beach and reef setup that’s very consistent in picking up any swell, but it’s had a shocking run of onshore winds. The water is sitting at 68°, which is a bit colder than we’d expect for this time of year.

We start off with a weak and messy picture. Tuesday the 11th has a bit of swell at 3ft from the NW, but with a short period of 6 seconds and a moderate breeze blowing straight onshore, the energy is weak (102). It’s poor. Wednesday the 12th through Friday the 14th is a similar story – small 3ft swell, cross-onshore winds, and choppy faces. The combined energy creeps up a bit, but the wind keeps ruining it.

Into the weekend, Saturday the 15th sees the swell push up to 6ft from the NW, and the energy kicks into the moderate range (423-434). But the wind is still fresh and cross-onshore, so it’s lumpy and poor. Sunday the 16th brings a 8ft NW swell, with a long period of 9 seconds and a solid energy of 852. The wind is offshore, but the wave comment tells us it’s poor surf. This one is a real tease. The pattern continues into Monday the 17th with a 6ft swell and offshore wind, but the call is “marginal” – maybe the tide is working against us.

Now, the standout. After a full week of nothing, we finally get a window. On Wednesday, August 19th in the morning, the stars almost align. The swell drops to a clean 5ft from the NNW with a period of 9 seconds, and the wind swings to a light breeze from the east, giving us a cross-offshore flow. The energy is a moderate 358, and the conditions are described as clean. This is the best on offer. The waves will be solid and have some power, but for a beach and reef, a 9-second period is decent. It’s not a huge day, but it will be the most fun you’ll have all week. Keep in mind Castelejo can get crowded, and with this being the only good window, expect some company.

After that, it’s back to the struggle. Thursday the 20th has a chance in the morning with a light cross-shore, but the swell is a bit bigger and the wind turns onshore in the afternoon. Then from Friday the 21st all the way through to the end of the period, it’s a wall of strong onshore winds and building swell. By Saturday the 22nd, the swell hits 8ft from the NNW with a very strong energy of 1145, but the wind is a strong breeze straight onshore. That’s a no-go for paddle surfing; that setup is more interesting for the kite crew.

The very last day, Sunday the 23rd, has a massive 8ft swell with a 9-second period and an incredible energy of 1806, but it’s paired with a cross-onshore wind that kills it. If the wind eased, that would be a monster, but it’s not looking like it.

So, plan for Wednesday the 19th. It’s not perfect, but it’s the only real chance for a decent surf in the next 16 days. The rest is a write-off unless you’re desperate.

Rusty.

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