El Huaico Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s cooking at El Huaico.

Look, I gotta be straight with you – the next couple of weeks aren't looking like a classic run at this spot. We’ve got a real mixed bag of conditions, and nothing is screaming "drop everything and go." The water’s sitting at a balmy 70° right now, which is a massive 9° warmer than normal for this time of year – that’s very unusual, almost like summer stuck around. But that’s where the good news kinda slows down for a bit.

The first few days are pretty average. Saturday the 8th kicks off with a 3ft swell from the SW (13-second period) but a cross-on wind messes it up, making it choppy. The wave energy is moderate (617). That afternoon drops to 5ft from the S but with a short, weak 8-second period and cross winds – just a messy, marginal wave. Sunday and Monday are more of the same: small to moderate swell, mostly cross or cross-on breezes, and everything rated as marginal. The combined energy climbs into the four-digit range by Monday (1295), but the quality just isn’t there.

Tuesday the 11th afternoon is the first time we see a bit of a bump – 6ft from the SSW at 14 seconds, with an offshore wind. That’s a notable improvement for cleanliness. The swell energy is strong (1259). But the morning is still cross-shore and the forecast is still just marginal, so don’t get too excited.

Wednesday the 12th stays in that same zone: 5ft to 5ft, S/SSW swell, moderate energy, with cross and light cross-on winds. It’s surfable for an advanced crew, but nothing to write home about.

Now, the real standout in this whole period is Sunday the 16th. We’ve got a 6ft swell from the SW, 14-second period, with light cross-shore winds in the morning and a gentle cross-shore breeze in the afternoon. The combined wave energy is very strong – 1406 in the morning, 1363 in the afternoon. That’s the biggest, most consistent energy of the whole run, and the winds are light enough to keep it reasonably clean. This is the one day I’d be looking at. The swell direction from the SW matches the optimum for this spot (S is preferred, but SW is close), and the period is long enough to pack some punch. It’s a reef break for advanced surfers only, so beginners stay well clear.

After that, Monday the 17th still has size (6ft to 7ft), but the period drops to a weak 8 seconds, so the waves will be crumbly and less powerful. The energy is still strong (1189-1130), but the quality falls off. From Tuesday the 18th onward, it’s a slow slide into smaller, weaker, and poorer conditions. By the 21st and 22nd, we’re down to 2ft to 3ft with very low energy (below 300), and it’s labeled poor surf. There’s a tiny flicker of life on Sunday the 23rd with a 3ft, 16-second groundswell, but that’s more of a whisper than a wave.

So, to sum it up: if you’re an advanced surfer looking for the best of a so-so period, circle Sunday the 16th. Light winds, solid 6ft SW groundswell, and the most energy of the fortnight. The rest is mostly marginal, with a lot of cross-onshore wind and short-period chop. For the average punter, there’s not much to chase until that Sunday. After that, it dries up pretty fast.

Rusty out.

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