El Anclote Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s coming up at El Anclote over the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but there’s a promise of cleaner conditions later on. The first few days are pretty ordinary, with small, weak swell that won't get the heart racing. The real standout window looks to be the second week, especially around the 7th and 8th of August, when the energy picks up and the wind lines up.

Kicking off on Friday the 31st of July, the afternoon is clear but the swell is tiny at 2ft from the SW, with a 13-second period. The combined energy is weak (111), and the water is a touch warmer than normal at 89°. It’s surfable, but nothing to write home about. Saturday and Sunday of the 1st and 2nd of August are similar, with small SW swell, though Sunday morning sees a glassy moment with a light offshore wind - the only problem is the swell is even smaller at 1.0ft. The first week is a bit of a struggle, with onshore winds and poor surf conditions, a real slow patch for the books.

The first real sign of life pops up on Friday the 7th of August. The morning brings a 1ft SW swell but look at that period: 18 seconds, meaning it’s a proper groundswell. The combined energy jumps to 132 (moderate), and by the afternoon, the wind shifts to a gentle offshore from the NW, making it cleaner. This is where things start to get interesting. Saturday the 8th of August has a glassy morning with the same 1ft SSW swell, period of 16 seconds, and energy of 138. This is a very clean, if small, window. The offshore wind and that long period make the paddle out easier, and the reef setup at El Anclote will handle that long-period swell just fine.

Now, the standout is the afternoon of Tuesday the 11th of August. The swell bumps up to 2ft from the SW, with a period of 18 seconds and a combined energy of 209 – that’s moderate to strong energy. The wind is a clean cross-offshore from the NW. This is the best looking swell we’ve got, with real power behind it. The crowd profile here is "sometimes", so you might have company, but it’s not a circus.

The following days, from the 12th to the 15th of August, keep that 2-2ft SW swell running, with periods of 14-16 seconds. The mornings of the 12th and 15th are clean, with the 15th offering a gentle offshore wind. The energy stays solid in the 150-200 range. It’s not huge, but it’s consistent and clean. For a beginner reef break like El Anclote, these small, clean conditions are actually perfect.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a bit of a write-off unless you’re desperate for a splash. The best bet is to aim for the 7th, 8th, and 11th of August, with the 11th being the pick of the bunch for that extra push of energy and clean wind. Don't expect big waves, but expect clean, ridable lines.

Rusty.

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