El Palito Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let me talk you through it, surfers. Rusty here, and I've been staring at the charts for this stretch of coast. It's a tough one, honestly. We're looking at a long, drawn-out period where the ocean is just not cooperating for paddle surfing. From now through the start of August, it's a desert.

We kick off this Monday the 20th, and for the next couple of weeks, the conditions are pretty grim. The swell energy is virtually non-existent, and when there is a little bump, it's coming from the NE with a short, weak period of 6 seconds – that's windswell, not groundswell. The wind is almost constantly cross-onshore, chopping up what little wave there is. For most of this time, the water temp is sitting around 81.7°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so at least you won't be cold while you're getting frustrated.

There are a couple of brief windows where it looks *almost* surfable. On the morning of Thursday the 23rd, El Palito (beach and breakwater) has a glassy morning with 0 mph wind. There's a tiny 3.3ft NE swell, but it's weak, with the combined energy only hitting (84). The wave comment sums it up: "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions." It's a beginner-friendly break, but it's not going to be anything to write home about.

Then again, on the morning of Monday the 27th, we get another glassy spell. The swell is similar, 3.3ft from the NE with a 7-second period, and the energy is a bit better at (89). Still, it's just small, weak swell with no real push. For the experienced crew, this is a frustrating stretch of flat or poor quality surf.

Looking into the second week, it's more of the same. A quick look at the morning of Sunday the 2nd of August shows a tiny pulse, but again, it's small and weak. Finally, on the morning of Monday the 3rd of August, we see another glassy morning, with the swell a paltry 2.6ft from the NE and a 6-second period (56). The wave report still says "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions." The best of the whole 16-day window is honestly just those fleeting glassy moments, which will offer knee-to-waist high dribblers for beginners or longboarders who just need to get wet.

Overall, if you're a kiter, this onshore wind and small, bumpy waves might look fun, but for paddle surfing, it's a long wait. The ocean is just not delivering. Forecasts can always change, but for now, this is a blank run that feels pretty normal for this area when the trade winds set in.

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