Ilot Sancho Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s going on at Ilot Sancho for the next couple of weeks.

There’s a slow start, but don’t sweat it. The first real surf window opens Monday, July 20th. It’s a solid start with a clean 7ft SW groundswell (15-second period) and a glassy NE wind. The water is a touch warmer than normal at 77° with a 3° anomaly. The wave energy is moderate (1947). This is a good session for experienced surfers, but watch out – with a swell this size and a long period, beginners should stay on the beach. The reef setup here will handle that long period well.

Monday afternoon sees the swell bump up to 8ft from the SSW, but the wind swings cross-on, making things a bit lumpy. Tuesday morning the 21st cleans right back up with a 7ft SSW swell and a light cross-off breeze. The energy drops (1321), but it’s still clean surf for experienced crew.

Wednesday (22nd) and Thursday (23rd) are a bust. The wind is up and cross-shore, the swell drops, and the quality just isn’t there. Friday the 24th is a mess – rain showers and a fresh breeze. The swell swings around to a short-period 8ft SE groundswell (8 seconds) in the afternoon, making for a lumpy, choppy mess. This is more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddling one.

We get a bit of a reprieve on Sunday the 26th. The morning is clean with a light 4ft SSW groundswell (13 seconds) and a light cross-off breeze. The energy is low (973), but it’s a clean, easy session. The afternoon goes glassy with a tiny 4ft SW swell, but it’s a 20-second period – that’s a very long period, so expect long waits between sets.

Now, listen up. Monday the 27th of July is where things get serious, but only for the brave. We’re looking at a massive 13ft SSW groundswell (16 seconds) with a staggering energy of 8066. That’s not just big, that’s “I hope you know what you’re doing” big. The wind is light, but the forecast flat-out says this is too big for this break. Unless you’re a true expert, give this one a wide berth. Tuesday the 28th stays big at 10ft from the SSE with a fresh cross-off wind. It’s clean, but still giant.

The following week (from the 30th onward) is a stable run of clean, solid surf. The swell stays in the 5ft to 8ft range, mostly from the SSW or SSE. Sunday the 2nd of August is a standout: a 5ft SSW groundswell with a 20-second period (very long) and a clean cross-off breeze. The energy is strong (3206). That’s a classic swell for the reef. Monday the 3rd of August is another cracker: 7ft SSW swell (17 seconds) with a clean cross-off wind. Both of these mornings are excellent for experienced surfers.

The best of the whole run, though, is Tuesday the 4th of August. The morning is glassy calm with a 8ft SSW swell (14 seconds). That’s clean, powerful, and perfect. The afternoon is glassy too, with a 7ft SSW swell. If you can pick just one day, that’s the one. Crowds are sometimes an issue here, so get in early.

Rusty out.

Read more