Guarita Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s coming up for Guarita. This is a heavy, exposed reef that demands respect, and the next sixteen days have a real mixed bag in store.

We start off with a bit of a wait. The first session worth paddling out for is Wednesday morning, the 2nd of September. Before that, Tuesday the 1st has some swell but the wind is a messy cross-off at 15.5 mph and the water is already a touch cooler than usual – 62°, about 1.3° below average for this time of year. Nothing to write home about. The wait is only a day, so no big gap.

Come Wednesday morning, things start to look interesting. We’ve got a clean 5.6 ft swell rolling in from the SE with a 10-second period, moderate energy (547). The wind is a light WSW at 3 mph, which is cross-off, and the wave comment says 'expect very good surf conditions'. This is the first real window of opportunity. The swell direction is a bit east of the optimum E, but still solid.

Thursday morning the 3rd is a real standout. The wind goes glassy – a perfect WNW breeze at 3 mph. The swell drops a touch to 4.3 ft from the ESE, but the period stretches to 11 seconds, giving it a bit more punch. The energy is moderate (429). For a reef like Guarita, that glassy wind and long-period groundswell are a dream. This is the best on offer early on.

The next few days are a write-off. Friday the 4th through Sunday the 6th see the swell drop to below 3 ft and the wind goes cross or cross-on, with the wave comment screaming 'poor surf conditions'. The energy drops into the low 100s to 200s, which is weak. A long gap of poor surf.

Monday morning the 7th brings a bit of hope back. Clean 4.6 ft swell from the S, 9-second period, moderate energy (340), and a WSW cross-off wind at 9 mph. The wave comment says 'expect good surf conditions'. It’s not a standout, but it’s a clean session.

Tuesday morning the 8th is similar. 5.2 ft from the SSE, 10-second period, moderate energy (476), and a cross-off SW wind. Clean again.

Then we hit the real highlight of the forecast. Wednesday morning the 9th of September – this is the one to circle. The swell is only 3 ft, but it’s coming from the SSE with a very long 12-second period (groundswell). The energy is moderate (553) and the wind is a light N at 6 mph, cross-off. The wave comment says 'expect very good surf conditions'. For a reef, that long period is gold. It’ll be clean, well-shaped, and with those long gaps between sets, paddling out won’t be a battle. This is a standout session.

The second half of the forecast gets a bit wild. Thursday the 10th sees a big jump in swell energy – 7.2 ft from the ENE with a 9-second period and a massive energy reading of 762. But the wind is a strong cross-shore at 25 mph, making it messy. Friday the 11th is similar, 5.9 ft from the E with a 10-second period, but cross-off wind and moderate energy (669). The wave comment says 'marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions'. It’s a possibility, but not a guarantee.

Saturday morning the 12th is a glassy one. The wind drops to 0 mph, glassy conditions, with a 4.3 ft swell from the E, 11-second period, and moderate energy (445). The wave comment says 'expect good surf conditions'. This is a clean, long-period window.

The 13th and 14th of September both have clean, cross-off mornings with smaller swells (3.3 ft to 3 ft) but very long periods of 12 seconds, and energy readings in the 400s to 600s. The wave comment for both says 'expect very good surf conditions'. These are promising, especially for a reef.

Tuesday the 15th morning is another standout. 5.2 ft from the E with an 8-second period, but the wind is a light SW cross-off at 6 mph, giving clean conditions. The energy is moderate (738) and the wave comment says 'expect very good surf conditions'.

Wednesday the 16th morning has a 3 ft swell from the SSE with a very long 13-second period, moderate energy (661), and a cross-off SW wind. The wave comment says 'marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions', but the long period and clean wind make it worth a look.

The best on offer? Thursday morning the 3rd with that glassy wind and 11-second groundswell, and Wednesday morning the 9th with the very long 12-second period and clean cross-off wind. Also, Tuesday morning the 15th is a solid, clean session. The 10th and 11th have big energy but messy wind, so keep an eye on the forecast for those.

One thing to keep in mind: when the swell is over 5 ft, this reef is advanced-only. On the 8th and 10th, with 5.2 ft and 7.2 ft respectively, it’s for experts only. Beginners, stick

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