Encuentro Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it. We’ve got a 16-day window on the table for Encuentro, and I’ll be honest with you – it’s a tough stretch. The forecast is pretty much a flat line of poor surf conditions all the way through, so there’s no standout session to get excited about. The swell is coming from the east, which is not the optimum direction for this reef break (it needs a NNE swell to really fire), and the wind is stuck in a cross-shore pattern every single day. That means lumpy, choppy, and disappointing surf.

The first few days – from Sunday the 12th through the end of the first week – show swell heights hanging around 3.3 ft to 4.6 ft, but the period is short, between 6 and 8 seconds, so it’s weak, wobbly, and lacking any punch. The combined swell energy is in the moderate range (values like 137, 197, 165), but it’s all messed up by the cross-shore wind. No clean faces, no real power. The water temperature is 82.6°, which is normal for the time of year – no anomaly to speak of – so at least you won’t need a thick wetsuit. But you’ll be bobbing around in a mess.

Moving into the second week, from around the 19th of July, the swell bumps up a little – we see some 4.9 ft sets on the 19th afternoon and 20th morning, with energy climbing into the 240s and 250s (moderate to solid). But again, the period stays short (7 to 8 seconds) and the wind is still cross-shore, so it’s messy and lumpy. The swell direction is still east, not the right angle for Encuentro to really line up. By the 23rd, it drops off to 3.0 ft and 3.3 ft, and the energy dips below 100 (93 and 111), so it goes weak. The 24th and 26th show tiny waves – 1.0 ft and 0.7 ft – with a longer period (11 seconds) on the 26th, but that’s barely a ripple.

Honestly, there’s nothing to recommend here. Encuentro is a consistent, exposed reef, but the conditions are just not lining up. The cross-shore wind is relentless, and the swell direction is wrong. If you’re a paddler, you’re better off waiting for a proper NNE swell with offshore wind. This setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, because the wind is steady and the waves are a mess. Don’t hold your breath – this kind of blank run can happen, but forecasts can change, so keep an eye on it.

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