El Camotal Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s talk about what’s happening at El Camotal. Rusty here, and I’ll level with you – this forecast is a bit of a tease.

The water temp is sitting at 66°F – a touch warmer than usual for this time of year, so at least you won’t be shivering.

We get a proper swell starting Thursday, September 3rd, with a long-period SW groundswell running 18 seconds and a combined energy of 1034 (moderate wave energy). The height is 4ft, but the wind is cross-on from the SSW at 9 mph, so it’s going to be choppy and messy. The afternoon wind picks up to 12 mph, making it even rougher.

Friday, September 4th, is the standout. The morning brings a 6ft SW swell with a 16-second period, and a combined energy of 1532 (strong wave energy). That’s a proper push of groundswell. The wind is only a light cross-on from the SSW at 6 mph, so just small ripples on the surface. For a beginner-friendly spot, this is as clean as it gets – the swell direction is a good match for the optimal NW direction for the break. The afternoon still holds 6ft, but the wind picks up to 9 mph, so it gets a bit choppier.

Saturday, September 5th, starts with a 5ft SW swell at 14 seconds, and the wind goes onshore from the SW at 6 mph, which is a rare clean moment, but the period is dropping and the energy is down to 974 (moderate). The afternoon goes back to cross-onshore. The swell fades from here, dropping to 4ft by Sunday afternoon, with energy falling to 730 (weak to moderate).

From Monday, September 7th, we’re in a slow decline. The swell sits between 3ft and 4ft for a few days, but the wind is always cross-onshore, and the energy stays under 1000. The conditions are consistently described as marginal or poor.

Then from Friday, September 11th, it’s a long stretch of poor surf. The combined energy drops into the 100-400 range (weak wave energy), with swell heights barely hitting 3ft, and the wind never lets up. There’s a tiny bump on Monday, September 14th, with a 2ft swell at 18 seconds and energy of 476, but it’s still cross-on and the wave comment says poor. That’s a 10-day gap of unrideable conditions from the 11th until the 17th of September.

On Thursday, September 17th, we get a tiny pulse of very long-period groundswell – 21 seconds – but it’s only 1ft, with a combined energy of 319 (weak). The wind is light cross-on in the morning, but it’s just too small.

So, the one to aim for is Friday morning, September 4th. That’s your best window. After that, it’s a long wait for anything worthwhile.

Rusty.

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