El Estero 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 starting quiet, but there’s a proper pulse of groundswell building for the end of August and into the start of September that’s got my attention. The first few days are small, but the ocean is waking up.

El Estero (Santa Cruz) is the only spot in the game, a river mouth setup that’s consistent and exposed to the WNW. The water is sitting at 86°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – nice.

We kick off the surf window on Wednesday the 26th, but it’s a slow starter. Morning brings a tiny 2ft SW swell with a long 15-second period, but a moderate breeze from the ENE keeps it cross-off. The combined energy is weak (140), and the word is poor surf conditions. Not one to paddle out for. The afternoon improves a little with a lighter offshore ESE breeze, but it’s still only surfable in a very ordinary way.

Thursday the 27th is more of the same: 2ft SW swell, but the period stretches to 18 seconds. Combined energy is moderate (230). The morning is cross-off, but the afternoon session with a light NE cross-off breeze and that long-period groundswell is where you’ll find a clean, small wave. It’s a marginal call, but if you’re desperate, it’s there.

Friday the 28th is a write-off for paddling. The swell bumps up to 3ft from the SW, but a fresh 30 km/h ENE breeze makes it messy. The combined energy is strong (689), but the conditions are poor. This setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

Now, the real standout arrives Saturday the 29th. The morning is the pick of the first week. The swell jumps to 5ft from the SW, a solid 16-second period, and the combined energy is very strong (1230). The wind is a moderate offshore from the ENE. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers – clean, powerful, and with good shape. The afternoon turns onshore, so get on it early.

Sunday the 30th holds some size at 5ft from the SW, with a 14-second period. The combined energy is strong (958). The morning cross-off from the ENE keeps it clean, making for very good surf. A solid longboard-to-shortboard wave.

Monday the 31st drops back to 4ft, but the period is still a solid 13 seconds. Combined energy is moderate (460). Both morning and afternoon have light cross-off winds, so expect good, clean conditions. A nice, less-pressured day.

Tuesday the 1st of September stays small at 3ft, but the morning has a gentle offshore from the east. The waves are clean, but it’s a smaller day. The afternoon turns cross-off from the SSE with a moderate breeze, which is less ideal.

The top standouts for the window are Saturday the 29th of August and Saturday the 5th of September. Saturday the 5th is a beauty. The swell is 5ft from the SW, with a 16-second period, and the combined energy is very strong (1264). The wind is glassy, and I mean glassy. It’s going to be perfect. The break is consistent, but it can get crowded often, so get there early for the best of it.

Sunday the 6th of September is another gem. The swell eases to 4ft, but the morning has a light offshore, and the afternoon goes glassy. Very good surf for a long, relaxed session.

The second week has some nice pulses. Thursday the 10th of September morning has 5ft SW swell, 16-second period, combined energy of 1021, and a clean offshore breeze. Excellent conditions for experienced surfers. The afternoon is a write-off with a light cross-on.

Bottom line: This is a solid 16-day window for El Estero. There’s a dry spell at the very start, but the 29th of August and the 5th of September are the true standouts. Get in the water.

Rusty.

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