El Roque Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright surfers, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s on the table for the next 16 days. I’ll level with you – this stretch is a bit of a bummer. There’s swell on the horizon, but the wind is just not playing ball. It’s mostly onshore or cross-onshore, which means the ocean is going to be bumpy and messy. Real shame, because there’s a lot of energy coming through, but the quality is just not there.

The first chance to get wet is on Thursday 16th July at El Roque. The water is sitting at 74°, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year, so you’ll be comfortable in a spring suit. The swell is a small 3ft from the NE with a short period of 5 seconds, and the combined swell energy is weak (93). The wind is blowing from the NNE at 9 mph straight across the face, making it choppy and uninviting. It’s lousy surf, and I wouldn’t bother.

From Friday the 17th through the end of the month, the swell builds but the wind stays stubborn. By Monday 20th July, the swell is pushing 7ft from the NNE with a period of 7 seconds, and the energy gets into the moderate range (501). But the wind is still on it from the N at 16 mph, keeping the surface lumpy. The whole block from the 17th to the 24th is a write-off – poor surf, day after day.

We do see a big spike in energy later on. Monday 28th July and Tuesday 29th July show the most powerful swell of the whole period. On Tuesday the 28th, the swell hits 8ft from the NNE, with a combined energy of 942, and on Wednesday the 29th, it pushes over 1000. That’s some serious power. But the period is still only 9 to 10 seconds, and the wind is onshore from the N at 13 mph. The surf will be big, messy, and difficult. For a reef break like El Roque, that’s only for experts, and even then, it won’t be pretty.

The standout is the energy around 29th July, but it’s locked in with poor conditions. The wind is never light, glassy, or offshore. The optimum swell direction for El Roque is NNW, but the forecast keeps pumping in from the NNE. That mismatch, combined with constant onshore wind, means the waves will be closed out and ugly. If you’re a kite surfer, this setup might look interesting, but for a paddle surfer, it’s a pass.

Bottom line: there’s no real highlight in this 16-day window. The surf is there, but it’s not worth paddling out for. Conditions can change, so keep an eye on the forecast, but as it stands, I’d give this one a miss.

Rusty.

Read more