Costa Banderas Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s paddle out and look at the next couple of weeks at Costa Banderas. It’s a bit of a slow burner, so don’t expect much action for a while.

Honestly, we’re looking at a long dry spell to kick things off. For the first week and a half, from Wednesday the 19th of August right through to Tuesday the 1st of September, the waves are tiny and the energy just isn’t there. You’ll see knee-high dribble mostly, with swell hanging around 1ft to 2ft. The combined swell energy is mostly weak, reading between 101 and 222 (moderate) on the few cleaner days, but it’s just not enough to get excited about. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, so no surprises there. Wednesday morning the 19th has a little 2ft SSW groundswell with a long 15-second period, and glassy conditions under an ENE cross-off breeze at only 3 mph. That’s the cleanest it gets early on, but it’s still just ordinary. The wind stays favorable for the most part through the mornings, with a mix of light cross-offshores and even some glassy days, like Saturday morning the 22nd when the wind drops to zero – dead calm. But even then, the swell is too weak to really surf. There’s a long gap of no real standouts here; it’s just a waiting game. By Thursday the 27th, the swell ticks up a bit to 2ft (222 energy), still clean, but it’s not until Friday the 28th that things finally start to look good.

Now, mark your calendars for Friday the 28th of August. That’s the standout window. The morning brings a clean 2ft SSW groundswell, period a solid 16 seconds, with a light 3 mph ENE cross-off. The combined energy jumps to 289 (moderate) – that’s the real kicker. It’s still small, but it’s clean and has some push. Then Friday afternoon gets even better: the swell bumps up to 3ft from the SW, period 17 seconds, and the energy rockets to 482 (moderate-strong). The wind goes light NW cross-off at 9 mph, keeping it clean. That’s the best session on offer – real groundswell energy, long lines, and clean faces. Since it’s a reef break, that long period will wrap in nicely. Crowds can be a factor here sometimes, so don’t expect to have it to yourself.

Saturday the 29th keeps the momentum going with 3ft SW swell in the morning (478 energy) under a moderate NNW cross-off at 12 mph – still clean. Saturday afternoon goes offshore with a light NNW breeze at 6 mph, holding that 3ft SW swell at 16 seconds (370 energy). Sunday the 30th is also good in the morning: 3ft SW, 14-second period, 333 energy, and a light ENE cross-off. These sessions are your best bets.

After that, the swell backs off again. Monday the 31st has some small glassy waves in the morning (2ft, 138 energy), and Tuesday the 1st of September is similar (2ft, 193 energy). But honestly, the real late comer is Wednesday the 2nd of September. A glassy morning with 2ft SSW groundswell at a long 17-second period and 305 energy – that’s a sneaky good session if you’re patient. The morning of Thursday the 3rd also shows potential with 3ft SW swell and 431 energy, but the wind is light cross-shore and the conditions are “marginal,” so it’s not a sure thing.

The bottom line: wait for Friday the 28th through Sunday the 30th of August. That’s the goods. Small but punchy, long-period groundswell, clean offshore winds. Get on it.

Rusty.

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