El Estero Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s break down what’s coming at El Estero over the next couple weeks.

We start off Sunday the 23rd with real small stuff: waves only 2 ft, but it’s a long-period groundswell from the southwest at 19 seconds. Energy is weak, at 300. The water’s warm, sitting at 86°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. Wind is a moderate cross-offshore breeze, so it’s clean but tiny. Longboard territory.

Monday the 24th, the swell inches up to 2 ft, still from the southwest, periods holding in the 17-18 second range. The standout moment is Monday afternoon when the wind goes glassy. That’s prime time for a clean, smooth session on a log. Energy bumps to moderate at 374.

Tuesday and Wednesday stay small, with heights barely reaching 2 ft and energy dropping into the low 100s by Wednesday. But with offshore or glassy conditions in the mornings and afternoons, it’s still paddleable for the keen.

Thursday the 27th is more of the same, but Friday the 28th brings a pulse: waves hit 3 ft with a 19-second period and energy climbs to 705. The afternoon cleans up with a gentle offshore breeze. That’s a solid session.

First real standout: Saturday the 29th morning. Swell hits 5 ft, southwest, 16-second period, and energy jumps to 1193 – strong. Moderate offshore wind makes for clean, punchy waves. At nearly 5 ft, it’s getting a bit much for beginners. The afternoon goes cross-on and choppy, so get out early.

Sunday the 30th keeps the 5 ft swell in the morning, period dropping to 14 seconds, but energy is still strong at 935. Light cross-offshore wind keeps it clean. Afternoons get messy with thunderstorm chop.

Monday the 31st backs off to 4 ft, clean in the morning. Tuesday the 1st of September drops to 3 ft, still rideable.

Then a gap in quality: Wednesday the 2nd and Thursday the 3rd are small and messy, afternoons turn poor with cross-onshore winds.

But hold on. Friday the 4th of September morning: 6 ft of southwest swell, 17-second period, energy blasts to 2061 – that’s very strong. The wind is glassy. This is big, powerful, clean groundswell. Over 5 ft, this is for experts only. This is the absolute standout of the whole forecast.

Saturday the 5th keeps the size at 6 ft in the morning with a light offshore breeze. Energy is still massive at 1950. Another ripper for the experienced crew. Sunday the 6th holds at 5 ft with clean offshore wind.

After that, the swell fades through Monday the 7th down to 4 ft, and the afternoons turn onshore and poor.

Bottom line: the best windows are Saturday the 29th morning, and the real highlight is Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th of September mornings. Big, clean, powerful. Don’t sleep on it.

Rusty.

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