El Estero Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.

To be honest, the first week or so is pretty flat and ordinary. We’ve got some small, weak swells and the wind is a bit of a mixed bag. The real story builds towards the end of the month and into the start of September, with a solid late-season pulse of SW groundswell that looks like the main event.

The standout spot is, without a doubt, El Estero – a consistent river-mouth setup that’s well-suited to an intermediate crew. The water here is running at 86°, which is a touch warmer than you’d expect for this time of year, so the shorty might feel a bit toasty.

We kick off Wednesday morning, 19th August, with a small 3ft SW swell at 15 seconds. The energy is moderate (362), and with a clean offshore breeze, it’s a decent enough start. The morning session is the go – the afternoons get a bit sketchy.

Thursday morning, 20th August, is similar but smaller, with 2ft SW swell and less energy (189). The offshore wind is still there, though, so you can get a few, but it’s nothing to write home about.

The next few days through to the 23rd are really just knee-high or smaller, with the swell dipping to 1ft. The energy drops way down (73-118), and it’s more of a longboard or no-board situation. The odd clean window pops up, but it’s ordinary.

Then, on Sunday morning, 23rd August, we see a spike in period – 19 seconds – with a 2ft SW swell. The energy is moderate (269), and the wind is clean. It’s small, but that long period has some shape. A hint of what’s coming.

The real action starts to build later in the week. Friday morning, 28th August, brings a 2ft SW swell at 19 seconds, and the energy jumps to 507. The wind is clean, and the conditions are *very good*. This is when you start to sit up.

But the absolute highlight lands on Saturday, 29th August. The swell pumps up to 6ft on the morning and 6ft in the afternoon, both from the SW. The energy is strong (1697 and 1617). The wind is offshore and clean in the morning, then goes glassy in the afternoon. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers – the size and power will be a step up, so it’s not for the groms or beginners. The swell direction (SW) lines up perfectly with the optimum for El Estero, and the long period (16 seconds) means it’s a proper groundswell with good energy and shape, though it might wall up a bit on the beachier sections.

Sunday, 30th August, is still excellent in the morning with 5ft SW swell, clean offshore wind, and strong energy (1082). The afternoons get a bit lumpy with a cross-onshore wind.

The swell slowly eases through the start of September. Monday, 31st August, has 4ft SW swell and clean conditions – still very good. Tuesday, 1st September, is glassy in the morning with 3ft, but the wind shifts onshore in the arvo and messes it up.

We get a nice little spike on Thursday, 3rd September, as well – 3ft SW swell at 17 seconds, clean conditions, and moderate energy (514). It’s worth a look if you’ve got the time.

Overall, the first week is a bit of a write-off for anything decent. There’s a long gap of small, weak surf from the 21st to the 23rd, with only a few clean windows. The real payoff is from the 28th of August through to the 1st of September, with Saturday 29th being the absolute standout – big, clean, powerful, and for the experienced crew.

Stay stoked.

Rusty

Read more