El Chanquete Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, I’ve had a look at what’s on offer at El Chanquete for the next couple of weeks, and I’ve got to be straight with you… it’s looking pretty grim. This is one of those stretches where you’re better off keeping the board in the car and the wax in the cupboard.

Right now, the water is running at 77°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year. That’s a bit of a novelty, but it’s not going to make up for the lack of proper swell.

The whole run kicks off with nothing. The first few days are a write-off. Sunday the 12th, Monday the 13th, Tuesday the 14th – all tiny, weak, and messy. The swell is barely hitting 1 ft from the SW with a period of just 4 to 5 seconds, and the combined energy is pitiful, sitting at just 4 to 9. That’s no energy at all. The wind is onshore or cross-onshore, so it’s just bumpy, unrideable slop. Absolute bummer.

Wednesday the 15th morning has a tiny bit of hope with a 2 ft WSW swell, period of 5 seconds, and a light cross-offshore breeze from the NNW. It’s clean, but the energy is still only 29, so we’re talking knee-high dribble at best. Not worth paddling out for.

Thursday the 16th morning is similar – 2 ft from the WSW, cross-off wind, clean, but again, the energy is a measly 14. It’s just not enough to get a proper wave.

Then we hit a real dead zone. From Friday the 17th right through to Sunday the 20th, the swell drops to zero or near zero. Some mornings are glassy, but there’s literally nothing to ride. That’s a solid gap of days with no surf to speak of. You’ll be staring at a flat, oily sea.

Things finally show a pulse on Monday the 21st. The morning has a 2 ft swell from the E, period of 6 seconds, and it’s glassy. The combined energy is 31, so it’s still weak, but it’s a start. The afternoon gets a bit more size – 4 ft from the E, period of 6 seconds – but the wind swings onshore from the SSW at 9 mph, so it’s going to be messy and choppy. The energy jumps to 135 (moderate), but those conditions won’t be fun to paddle in.

The best of the whole outlook is probably Wednesday the 22nd morning. We’ve got a 4 ft swell from the E, period of 7 seconds, with a light cross-offshore breeze from the ENE at 3 mph. The energy is 174 (moderate), and it’s clean. The waves are surfable, but it’s still very ordinary. It’s a beach and reef setup, and with a short period swell like this, it’s going to be a bit crumbly and close out. For a beginner, this is borderline – 4 ft is pushy but can be okay if you’re careful. The crowds are sometimes here, so you might have a few others out, but with this quality, it won’t be packed.

The rest of the week after that drops off again. Thursday the 23rd and Friday the 24th are back to tiny, weak, and mostly cross-onshore. Saturday the 25th morning has a 3 ft swell from the E, glassy, but the energy is only 85. Sunday the 26th morning has a 3 ft E swell with cross-off wind, energy at 113, but it’s still very ordinary. The afternoon of the 26th gets a bit of a blow with 16 mph cross-onshore wind, making it choppy and unappealing, though the energy peaks at 182.

Honestly, there’s nothing here that’s a standout. The only real highlight is Wednesday the 22nd morning, and even that’s just "surfable." If you’re desperate, that’s your window. Otherwise, I’d say give it a miss and check back in a week.

Rusty.

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