El Muelle Surf Forecast and Surf Report

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

Right off the bat, we’re looking at a pretty flat and quiet stretch ahead. The first few days are really just a tease, and it’s not until we get into the weekend that we see any real push of swell. The standout action is definitely going to be limited, so pick your moments carefully.

El Muelle is our only break on the radar, and it’s a beach/pier setup that’s exposed to the south. The water temp is sitting right around average for this time of year, so nothing weird going on there.

We start Wednesday morning, the 19th of August, with a tiny 3 ft swell from the WSW, but the period is a short 7 seconds. The wind is a clean offshore from the WNW at 12 mph, so the surface will be glassy. The combined energy is weak at 148, so it’s small and weak but ridable if you’re desperate. That afternoon, it drops right off to 2 ft from the ENE, and the cross-offshore wind makes it clean but too small to bother with.

Thursday the 20th is a write-off: 1 ft from the ENE with a short period, and the wind swings around, making it messy. Friday the 21st sees a jump in size to 7 ft from the south, but the wind is a lumpy cross-onshore from the SSW at 19 mph. The wave energy is moderate at 579, but the conditions are poor – it’s going to be a choppy, blown-out mess.

Now, Saturday the 22nd of August is where things get interesting. The swell picks up to 7 ft from the SSW, with a moderate period of 10 seconds. The combined energy is strong at 992, and the morning wind is a clean cross-offshore from the west at 16 mph. This is the first real window of decent, clean surf. The waves will have some punch, but at 7 ft, it’s getting solid, so this is for intermediate to experienced surfers. The afternoon gets smaller at 8 ft but the wind goes cross-shore and lumpy, so stick to the morning.

Sunday the 23rd is a big one. We’ve got an 12 ft south swell early with a 13-second period – that’s a proper groundswell. The combined energy is very strong at 3751. But the wind is a cross-onshore from the SSE, so it’s choppy and poor. Then, in the afternoon, the wind goes light and onshore from the SSE, but the swell is 10 ft with a 14-second period. The energy is a massive 4031. This is a mammoth swell, but it’s too big for El Muelle. For experts only, and even then, the direction and period might make it break weirdly straight.

Monday the 24th sees the swell drop to 7 ft from the south, with a long 11-second period. The wind is a clean cross-offshore from the NNE at 16 mph. The energy is strong at 1208. This is a solid, clean option for the morning – big, powerful, but clean. The wave comment says “marginal” but that’s likely due to the size for the break. It’s a good, heavy wave for the experienced.

Tuesday the 25th is smaller, with 4 ft from the SSE and a long 11-second period. The wind is clean cross-offshore from the north at 16 mph. The energy is moderate at 304. It’s a decent, clean day but nothing special.

After that, from Wednesday the 26th of August right through to the end of the forecast period on Thursday the 3rd of September, the surf is tiny and weak. We’re looking at wave heights mostly under 3 ft, with short periods and poor conditions. The combined energy drops below 100 on many days. There’s a blip on Thursday the 27th afternoon with 5 ft from the SW, but the period is a pathetic 6 seconds and the wind is fresh, so it’s just a messy windswell. It’s a long, flat spell for the rest of the window.

The best bets: Saturday morning, the 22nd of August, is your first real shot, with a clean 7 ft SSW swell. Then, Monday morning, the 24th of August, offers the best combination of size and clean conditions with a 7 ft south swell and offshore wind. That’s the pick of the forecast.

The crowds at El Muelle can be a problem sometimes, so expect company on any decent day.

Rusty.

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