El Estero Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. This is a look at the next 16 days for El Estero.

Right off the bat, we’ve got some proper energy lining up. The real standout is going to be the opening salvo this Saturday, the 5th of September. We’re looking at a solid 6ft SW groundswell with a very long 16-second period, and the combined energy is pumping at 1459 – that’s some serious grunt in the water. Water temp is sitting at a balmy 86°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you can leave the steamer at home. The ENE wind is blowing 9 mph, which is a cross-offshore, keeping things clean. This is excellent, but at 6ft with that power, it’s more for the experienced crew. Beginners might find it a bit much.

As Saturday afternoon rolls in, the wind shifts to a SW cross-on and the quality drops off a cliff. That session is a write-off.

Sunday morning, the 6th, is the next real window. Swell drops a touch to 5ft from the SW, but the period is still a healthy 14 seconds. The magic is the wind: 6 mph from the ENE, which is offshore. That’ll make for some clean, fun waves. The energy is still moderate at 847. This is a good one for the intermediate surfer. Sunday afternoon, again, the seabreeze ruins it.

Monday morning, the 7th, you’re looking at 4ft SW with a cross-off SE wind at 12 mph. It’s clean, but a little wind-affected. The real gem on Monday is the afternoon. The swell drops to 3ft, but the wind goes glassy – 3 mph from the SW. That’s a rare treat for a session. Don’t expect big power, but the shape will be there.

Tuesday morning, the 8th, still has some clean 2ft swell with a long 18-second period. The energy is weak at 625, but the wind is offshore. It’s a small-wave board day.

We then hit a bit of a lull in the middle of the week. Wednesday and Thursday see the swell hovering around 3ft to 4ft. The wind is good in the mornings – offshore Thursday morning is a solid 16 mph moderate breeze, cleaning up a 4ft SW swell with a 17-second period, giving us a combined energy of 1094. That Thursday morning, the 10th, is another excellent call for the experienced surfer. The afternoon seabreeze ruins it again.

The second week is a bit of a slow fade. We’ve got a gap of a few days with nothing really firing. The mornings from the 11th to the 16th are mostly clean with waist-to-chest high waves, but the energy is dropping. The 14th of September Monday morning is interesting: a tiny 2ft swell with a very long 19-second period and glassy wind. It’s a loggers’ dream, but the combined energy is only 249, so it’s weak.

The last big highlight in the distance is the morning of the 18th of September, five days out. Again, a tiny 2ft swell, but a 21-second period and glassy conditions. That’s a weird, super clean, long-period pulse. It’s a promising one for the longboard or a fun fish, but it’s a long way out so keep an eye on it.

Overall, the best bet is Saturday morning, the 5th, for the power, and if you want clean but smaller, Sunday morning, the 6th and Thursday morning, the 10th are your calls. El Estero is a river-mouth so it handles that SW groundswell well, but with the long period, it might be a bit straight at times – still the best option on offer.

Rusty.

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