Dominical Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’ve got a classic stretch of small-scale, clean conditions lining up here at Dominical. Don’t expect big barrels, but there’s plenty of fun to be had if you’re patient.

The overall pattern is dominated by a consistent, long-period SW groundswell that’s gonna keep things lined up but small. The real highlight is the glassy mornings. We’re talking glass-off conditions through most of the first week, which is a major win for this exposed beach break. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

It kicks off Tuesday morning, August 4th, with a tiny 3 ft swell from the SSW, period around 9 seconds, and glassy conditions. The energy is weak (190), but it’s surfable. Tuesday afternoon gets a bit of onshore breeze and a risk of storms, so don’t bother.

Wednesday and Thursday mornings, the 5th and 6th, are glassy again, but the swell drops to 2 ft. The period stretches out to 14 seconds on Thursday, which is a nice long-period groundswell, but at this size, it’s best for a log or a funboard. Energy stays moderate (137-184).

Now, Friday morning, August 7th, is where things start to get interesting. The swell jumps to 3 ft from the SW, and the period is a solid 13 seconds. But the real story is the combined energy jumping to 365 (moderate) and glassy conditions. The forecast says “expect good surf conditions,” and I’m feeling it. This is a standout session for the week. Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th keep the good vibes rolling with 2 ft-3 ft, glassy mornings, and energy in the 330-274 range. The long-period swell (16-14 seconds) will make the waves a bit more drawn out, which is nice for points, but at a beach break like Dominical, it can be a little too straight. Still, with the wind this clean, it’s a go.

Then we hit a bit of a lull. From Monday the 10th afternoon through the 13th, the conditions get mixed with onshore winds and poor surf quality. It’s not a total washout, but the mornings are the only window, and the swell is tiny.

The next real standout hits on Friday, August 14th, in the morning. The swell is only 2 ft, but the period is a massive 20 seconds – that’s very long-period groundswell. The energy is moderate (325), and it’s glassy. This is a sneaky good session for a longboard, but the long period means the sets will be more spaced out, making it easier to get out the back.

But hold on to your board, because the big one is Saturday, August 15th, in the morning. The swell hits 3 ft from the SW, and the combined energy jumps to a strong 617. The period is 16 seconds, and it’s glassy. The forecast says “expect very good surf conditions,” and I’m buzzing. This is the best on offer in the entire 16 days. It’s not huge, but for Dominical with that kind of energy and glassy wind, it’s going to be clean, punchy, and fun. It’s not for beginners though – 3 ft with that much energy will pack a punch.

After that, the swell settles back to 3 ft-2 ft through the rest of the second week. The mornings on the 16th and 17th are okay, but the wind is cross-onshore, so it’s not as clean. By Tuesday the 18th and Wednesday the 19th, the swell is tiny, and the energy is weak. The wind is messy on the 19th, but the afternoon is glassy with a 2 ft, 19-second period swell – a real longboard-only session.

Overall, the best bets are the mornings of Friday, August 7th and Saturday, August 15th. The 15th is the true standout, with the most energy and glassy conditions. Keep your eyes on the horizon for the groundswell, and don’t be late.

Rusty.

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