El Palito Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards around El Palito. Honestly, it’s a pretty bleak stretch ahead. We’re talking about a beach and breakwater setup that’s just going to be starved of any proper swell energy for the guts of the next 16 days.

Right now and for the first week or so, it’s a flat spell. There’s some tiny, weak swell showing on a couple of mornings – around 2ft to 3ft from the NE, but it’s really short period, under 7 seconds, and the combined energy is weak (38 to 54). That’s not going to wrap in with any punch. The wind, when it’s there, is mostly a light offshore from the NNE, which would be ideal if there was any wave to work with. But there isn’t. It’s labelled as “poor surf conditions” right through, so don’t be fooled by the clean mornings. The afternoon cross-onshore from the ENE picks up and just chops out anything that might have been there.

Thursday the 30th of July gives a tiny flicker. The morning shows a glassy 3ft swell from the NE – nicely clean with that glassy wind. Combined energy climbs to 91, still weak, but the report says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” That’s the only slot worth paddling for in the whole outlook, and it’s not exactly one to write home about. For a beginner-friendly break like El Palito, that thigh-high stuff on a clean morning is about as good as it’s going to get for a while.

After that, it’s back to the doldrums. From the 31st all the way through to the 9th of August, there are days and days with zero recorded swell energy and the same “poor surf conditions” tag. There’s a hint of a very small, very long-period swell on the 3rd and 4th of August – 0.3ft with an 11-second period – but the combined energy is only 2. That’s barely a ripple. Not worth getting wet for.

You get a final minor pulse on Monday the 10th of August, with 3ft NE again, combined energy 84, but it’s still labelled poor conditions. The wind is offshore from the NNE in the morning, which at least keeps it clean, but it’s hardly a standout.

To be straight with you, there’s nothing in this 16-day window that I’d call a real standout. The best of a bad lot is that Thursday the 30th of July morning. Glassy conditions on a tiny NE swell. If you’re a beginner and just want to sit out there in the warm water – water temp’s about average for the time of year at 82° here – it’s something. But for anyone chasing a proper wave, you’re looking at a long blank run. Forecasts can change, but this stretch looks stubborn. Given El Palito is fairly consistent as a spot, it’s a bit of a shame, but these dead spells do happen.

Stay patient.

Rusty.

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