Escollera Sur (Mar del Plata) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s shaping up for our local stretch.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but there’s a serious pulse of energy on the way. The first few days are a write-off, with small, messy waves and poor conditions. The standout window is Saturday the 22nd through Monday the 24th, with a massive swell rolling in, but it’s going to be a game of timing and skill.

The real action kicks off on Saturday morning, August 22nd. Escollera Sur (Mar del Plata) is looking at a solid 10ft swell from the SSW, with a clean 10-second period. The wind is offshore out of the W at 19 mph, which is a massive green light for clean faces. The combined wave energy is pumping at 2737, that’s some serious grunt. This is a standout for experienced surfers only – the size is well over 8ft, so it’s not a beginners’ zone. The south swell direction lines up perfectly with what this break likes. The water is sitting at 50°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you won’t need the thickest rubber.

Saturday afternoon eases slightly to 8ft from the same SSW direction, still clean and offshore, but the tide and conditions are a bit more questionable. The morning session is the one to chase.

By Sunday the 23rd, the swell jumps back up to 10ft, but it’s coming from the SSE with a very long 15-second period. The wind has swung onshore from the S, making it choppy and messy. That long period groundswell will be breaking straight and fast, and with the wind chop, this one is a pass. The energy is huge at 4157, but it’s all for naught with the wind.

Monday morning, August 24th, is our second real standout. The swell has dropped to a much more manageable 7ft from the SSE, with a 12-second period. The wind is light from the N at 6 mph, offering a clean, cross-off breeze. The energy is 1102, which is moderate but packing a punch. This is excellent for experienced surfers – clean, lined up, and with the wind holding. It’s a great window to get a proper session in.

After Monday, the swell tapers off quickly. We drop into a long stretch of small, clean but weak surf from the 25th through to the 2nd of September. The waves are there, at ankle to knee high, but the energy is low (down to 60-260). The wind stays favorable for most of that period, especially Wednesday afternoon the 26th with a light offshore NNW breeze at 6 mph and 4ft from the SE, but it’s surfable, not exciting.

There’s a tiny flicker on Thursday morning, September 3rd, about a week and a half out. A 5ft S swell with a short 6-second period and a clean offshore NW wind at 12 mph. The combined energy is 202, so it’s weak, but the conditions will be clean. It’s a long-range promise, so keep an eye on it.

Bottom line: The best calls are Saturday morning, August 22nd for the big, clean, expert-only beast, and Monday morning, August 24th for a slightly smaller but still clean and powerful session. The rest of the fortnight is mostly small and slow. Don’t expect a crowd on the big Saturday – the size will keep the numbers down.

Stay stoked.
Rusty

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