Drakes Estero Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s shaping up for the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, the first week is a bit of a grind. We’ve got a constant supply of swell, but the wind is almost always a fresh cross-off, which keeps things clean but the wave quality is just not clicking. The scores are low, and the conditions are marginal. We’re looking at a long stretch of average surf until we get to the end of the month.

The best window of the whole run is looking like the morning of Saturday, August 1st. That’s the standout. The wind will be a gentle breeze out of the northwest, keeping things clean. The swell is a solid 7 ft from the NW, which is a size that’s going to push some real power. The combined energy is a strong 1348, so you’ll feel the push. The report even calls it “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers,” and that’s a rare call. This is for the big boys and girls – 7 ft is over the 5 ft mark, so it’s not for beginners. The period is a short 8 seconds, so expect a bit of a lumpy, wind-driven feel, but at that size and with those winds, it’ll be fun.

Later in the second week, we have another flicker of life. The afternoon of Friday, August 7th, looks promising. The swell is 7 ft from the WNW, with a light breeze out of the WNW giving us a cross-off. The combined energy is moderate at 622, and the period is a short 8 seconds again. The report says “expect very good surf conditions,” so it’s worth keeping an eye on, but it’s a long way off, so don’t lock it in just yet.

For the rest of the time, it’s small, short-period, and the wind is just enough to keep things from being perfect. The morning of August 9th has a small 4 ft swell with glassy conditions, but it’s a cross-shore wind, so the sets might be a bit messy.

The water temperature is currently 60°, which is a touch warmer than normal for the time of year. Don’t expect a full wetsuit steamer, but you’ll still want a good spring suit on.

This is Drakes Estero we’re talking about, a beach/river mouth setup. It’s fairly consistent, but it’s exposed to the SW swell. The crowds are “sometimes,” so you might get a peak to yourself, especially on a weekday. The best of the best is the Saturday morning of August 1st.

Rusty out.

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