Chicama - El Cape / Keys Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again, let’s break it down in feet and Fahrenheit.

The outlook for Chicama – El Cape / Keys is a slow burn. The water is 68°F, which is about 4°F warmer than normal for this time of year – that’s noticeably warm, feels like you’re in the tropics.

The first week is a total bust. From 22nd August through the 27th, it’s all poor surf. No point in even looking at it.

The first bit of hope arrives Friday morning, 28th August. We get a moderate energy swell (1302) with waves around 4ft from the WSW, period 17 seconds. That’s a long-period groundswell, which will give the waves some real push at this point break. The wind is a gentle S breeze at 15 km/h, onshore but light. It’s listed as “marginal,” so it’s not a classic, but it’s a start.

That afternoon, the swell bumps up to 6ft (1547 energy) from the SW, 16 seconds, but the wind gets stronger onshore at 20 km/h, and it’s a poor call.

The real gem is Thursday, 3rd September. The morning has a solid 4ft swell from the WSW, 19 seconds, with 1556 energy. The wind is a light S breeze at only 10 km/h – that’s near glassy, perfect for a long-period groundswell to line up clean. The chart says “marginal,” but this is your best bet. The afternoon holds 5ft (1833 energy) from the same direction, 18 seconds, but the wind shifts onshore again.

Friday, 4th September, morning is also worth a look: 5ft from the SW, 16 seconds, 1409 energy, with a light SSE breeze at 15 km/h. Another marginal call, but the swell direction is right and the wind is light.

After that, it fades. The second week drops off into smaller, weaker swells with onshore wind. The gap from 22nd to 27th is a full six days of nothing.

Crowds are never a problem here. It’s a beginner-friendly point, but anything over 5ft starts to push past the learner zone. The 4ft and 5ft days are solid for intermediates and up.

Set your alarm for Thursday, 3rd September, first light. That’s the session to chase.

Rusty.

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