El Medano Surf Forecast and Surf Report

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

Right off the bat, I’ve gotta be straight with you – this 16-day window for El Medano is a tough one. The swell is just not cooperating, and the wind is a constant problem. There’s no real standout session, and honestly, the best call might be to give the board a rest and find something else to do.

The first potential surf is on Tuesday, July 14th, but it’s a real letdown. You’ve got a tiny 2ft SSW swell with a 13-second period, which is a long-period groundswell that would be better off at a point or a reef. The problem is the wind is a cross-onshore 12 mph, making it choppy. The combined energy is weak (165), and the water temp is a normal 73°F for this time of year. With no score and "poor surf conditions" called out, it’s a pass.

Wednesday the 15th and Thursday the 16th are just as bad. The swell drops to 1ft, the wind stays up, and the energy numbers are even lower. By Thursday afternoon, the swell direction swings to the NE with a tiny 5-second period – that’s pure wind chop, not surf.

The whole first week, from July 14th through to the 20th, is a total write-off. The wind is hammering from the NE and ENE, constantly cross-onshore, and the swell is either too small, too short-period, or both. The energy stays moderate at best, but the quality is consistently labelled "poor." There’s no clean window.

The situation doesn’t really improve in the second week. From July 21st to the 29th, it’s the same story. The swell gets a little bigger at times, like on the morning of July 25th with a 5ft NNE swell and a combined energy of 451, which is actually moderate to strong. But the wind is still a fresh cross-onshore 19 mph, and it’s labelled "poor surf conditions." That just means it’s going to be a messy, lumpy, wind-blown mess. For a beach and reef setup like El Medano, this kind of onshore wind just kills it.

Look, I’m not one to sugarcoat it. This is a blank run. The break is rated as "rarely breaks" anyway, and this forecast shows nothing but poor conditions. The water is about average temp, the wind never turns offshore, and the swell is constantly being messed up. If you’re a kite surfer, this kind of cross-onshore wind and chop might be your thing, but for a paddle surfer, it’s a no-go. The forecasts can change, but right now, there’s nothing to get excited about.

Rusty.

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