El Muelle Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, grab a cuppa and let’s have a look at this stretch ahead. We’re at El Muelle, a beach and pier set-up, and honestly, the first week is a bit of a grind. The water is sitting at 51°F, which is a massive 4°F warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s a real anomaly, you’ll notice the difference as soon as you get in. The swell energy is weak (245) for the first few days, and we’ve got onshore winds messing up the shape. It’s a slow start.

Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st are pretty flat and messy. Small stuff around 2 ft to 3 ft from the ENE, but with a SE wind blowing straight onshore, it’s just lumpy and poor. Not worth paddling out for. Wednesday the 22nd is more of the same, with the wind picking up a bit. Thursday the 23rd and Friday the 24th morning see the wind shift to a cross-offshore, cleaning the surface, but the swell drops to a tiny 2 ft-2 ft and the energy is weak (99-110). Still, the clean conditions are a tease.

Then, Friday afternoon the 24th, things finally spark up. We get a 2 ft swell from the S with a lovely long period of 13 seconds, and the wind goes offshore from the NNW. The energy jumps to 204 (moderate), and the wave comment says “expect good surf conditions.” That’s the standout in the first week. The long period means more push and shape, but it might break a bit straight at the beach on the sets. Still, with glassy offshore wind, that’s your best chance for a session.

Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th stay clean with light winds, but the swell drops back to 2 ft - 3 ft and the energy fades. The 1.0 ft on Sunday morning is a write-off, but Sunday afternoon has a 3 ft ENE swell with a gentle offshore that’s at least surfable. Nothing to get too excited about.

The following week, from Monday 27th July to Thursday 30th, is mostly small and clean but with weak energy (145-197). The swell stays around 3 ft - 3 ft from the ENE, but the wind is cross-offshore, so the surface is okay. Nothing special, just ordinary waves.

Now, Wednesday 29th July morning is a sneaky good one. The swell picks up to 4 ft from the SW, energy hits 225 (moderate), and it’s clean with a cross-offshore wind. The period is short at 8 seconds, so it’ll be a bit choppy and quick, but it’s the best of that week. The afternoon gets too cross-shore and messy.

The first few days of August bring a bigger swell but with terrible wind. Friday 31st July afternoon sees a 5 ft ENE swell with 8-second period and energy of 335 (moderate), but it’s marginal due to tide and with a cross-shore wind. Then Saturday 1st August has a 6 ft swell from the ENE with energy spiking to 947 (strong), but it’s a fresh cross-shore wind at 19 mph, making it lumpy and choppy. That’s not for a paddle board; it’s more of a kite-surfing day if you’re into that. The rest of the first week of August is all onshore or cross-shore wind with swell around 3 ft, so it’s a write-off.

The real gem in the long range is Saturday 1st August. The swell is solid at 6 ft from the ENE, the energy is a thumping 947, and it’s a long period swell. But the wind is a problem. If the wind forecast changes, that could be a cracking day, but as it stands, it’s too rough. Keep an eye on it.

Best bet: Friday afternoon the 24th for a clean, offshore session with that long-period groundswell. That’s your winner. Wednesday 29th July morning is a secondary option for a quick, fun wave if you’re keen.

Rusty.

Read more