El Chinchorro Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks.

We’re kicking off on the 1st of August, but honestly, the first week is a bit of a slow burn. The surf is there, but it’s nothing to write home about. The real focus is on the second week, where things start to get a bit more interesting.

For the first few days, from Saturday the 1st through to Tuesday the 4th, we’ve got a consistent, clean southwest swell rolling in at El Chinchorro. The swell is between 3ft and 6ft, with a period around 10 to 12 seconds. The wind is light and offshore (WSW), so the lines will be clean. The water is sitting at 66°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. The combined wave energy is moderate, starting around 456 and building to 996 by Wednesday morning. It’s a decent run for a beginner (the spot is consistent and beginner-friendly), but it’s not exactly firing. The crowds here can be present sometimes, so expect company.

Wednesday the 5th sees the swell peak a little, with 6ft to 6ft waves from the SW, and the energy pushes into the strong range, hitting 1044 on the afternoon. Still, the guidance tells me it’s marginal. The wind stays light and offshore, so it’s clean, but the wave quality isn’t quite there.

Now, Thursday the 6th is where things shift. The swell period jumps to 16-17 seconds, bringing in a proper groundswell. The swell height drops to 4ft to 4ft, but the energy is strong (1093 to 1325). This long-period swell (over 15 seconds) is going to be a bit straight for a beach break, but it’s worth a look at dawn. The wind is glassy, so it’ll be clean.

The standout period, without a doubt, is from Monday the 10th through Wednesday the 12th. On Monday the 10th, we see a 6ft to 8ft SSW swell with a 13-second period. The energy is very strong, hitting 2523. The wind is offshore or light, so it’s holding up well. Tuesday the 11th is similar, with 8ft to 8ft SSW swell, and the energy is a massive 2649. The wind is light offshore, making for some powerful, clean waves.

But the absolute best session of the whole forecast is Wednesday morning, the 12th of August. That morning, it’s glassy. The wind is flat calm. The swell is 8ft from the SSW, with a 12-second period, and the energy is a strong 1528. This is the one. It’s a big swell – over 8ft, so this is for experienced surfers only. The offshore wind and glassy conditions will make for perfect, clean walls. This is the day to clear your schedule.

After that, the swell drops off through the 13th and 14th, with 6ft to 4ft waves, and the wind gets a bit more cross-onshore at times. By the 15th and 16th, it’s fizzling out, with small 2ft to 3ft swells, though the period is still long (14-18 seconds), so you might find a clean little wave if you’re patient.

So, overall: the first week is a warm-up, but the 10th through the 12th is where the magic is. Don’t sleep on that Wednesday morning glass-off.

Rusty.

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