Ilot Sancho Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again, but this time in feet and miles per hour.

We’re looking at one spot for the next 16 days: Ilot Sancho. It’s a reef break that’s fairly consistent. The water’s about 77°, which is a touch warmer than average for this time of year.

First surfable swell shows up Friday afternoon, July 24th. We’ve got a 7ft south swell with a 10-second period, so the combined energy is moderate (1193). The wind is a cross-shore ESE breeze at 9 mph, which will put a bit of a chop on things. It’s a bit messy.

Saturday morning, July 25th, cleans up nicely. The swell drops to 4ft from the SW, but the period jumps to 13 seconds – proper groundswell. The wind is a light NE breeze at 3 mph, clean and cross-offshore. The energy is a bit lower (948), but it’ll be a clean morning session. Then Saturday afternoon is the real deal. The swell is 5ft from the SSW with a 14-second period, and the wind is glassy – dead calm. The combined energy is strong (1104). This is a standout window for clean conditions. The waves aren’t huge, but they’ll be perfect for an intermediate.

Sunday the 26th is mixed. The morning is clean with a 3ft SSW swell and light cross-offshore wind, but the energy is moderate (979). The afternoon gets a very long-period 20-second groundswell from the SSW, but it’s only 3ft and the wind goes onshore with rain showers. The energy is higher (1225), but the quality drops.

Monday the 27th brings a big jump. Swell hits 8ft–8ft from the SW with a 16-second period, giving strong energy (3449–3904). The wind is a cross-shore ESE breeze at 9 mph, so there’s a bit of cross-chop. It’s surfable, but these waves are over 8ft, so it’s for experts only.

The best of the whole outlook is Tuesday, July 28th. Tuesday morning: 7ft from the SW, 14-second period, light cross-offshore breeze from the NE. Clean. Energy is strong (3153). Tuesday afternoon: 8ft from the SSW, 18-second period, light cross-offshore breeze from the ENE. Still clean. The combined energy is a massive 4293 – very strong. The swell direction is perfect for the optimum SW, the wind is light and clean. This is the one to plan for if you’re experienced.

Wednesday the 29th stays good. Morning is a clean 8ft SW swell with a 15-second period and cross-offshore wind. The afternoon is a clean 7ft SSW swell with a 14-second period.

From Thursday July 30th onward, the swell holds at 5ft–7ft from the SSW with a 13–16 second period, but the wind picks up to 9–12 mph from the E or ESE. It’s cross-offshore, so it’s clean, but it’s windier. Energy is strong (1283–2698). It’s still surfable, but not the same quality.

From August 1st, the swell direction shifts to the E and ESE with shorter periods (9–10 seconds). Swell stays 5ft–10ft, but the wind is a fresh 15–19 mph E breeze. It’s clean but very windy. The short period makes the waves weaker. The big 10ft days on August 4th and 6th–8th are too big for beginners, and with the short period and strong wind, it starts looking more like a kite surfing day than a clean paddle. Conditions are marginal.

So the call is clear: Saturday afternoon July 25th for the glassy, clean, moderate waves and Tuesday July 28th for the big, powerful, clean groundswell. That’s the one. The rest is workable but wind-affected, or short-period slop.

Rusty.

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