Isla Negra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s see what we’ve got here. The first bit of the forecast is a bit of a slow starter, but once we get past the middle of the week, things start to look a lot more interesting. We’ve got a groundswell window opening up that should keep the wave energy up for a good stretch. The water temp is pretty much where it should be for this time of year, so no nasty surprises there when you get in.

The only spot on the cards is Isla Negra, a heavy reef break that’s strictly for the advanced crew. It’s very consistent and exposed to the swell, but the best wave shape comes from a NNW direction, and we’re seeing a WSW swell, so it’s not a perfect match direction-wise.

Monday the 17th starts off with a glassy 3 ft swell (swell energy: 240) and light winds. It’s small, but clean. The afternoon gets a bit more size at 3 ft but the wind swings cross-off, so the quality drops off. Still, that morning session is a quiet little option.

Tuesday the 18th is a write-off. No swell at all, so forget it.

Wednesday the 19th is where things get exciting. The morning jumps to 5 ft (swell energy: 1117, that’s some proper energy) but the wind is onshore, so it’s messy. The afternoon though… glassy conditions, 5 ft swell from the WSW with a 14-second period, and energy at 1028. That’s the standout of the whole outlook. Clean, powerful, and the kind of reef session that will have your heart pumping.

Thursday the 20th holds well. Morning sees 5 ft (769 energy) with offshore wind, making for some very good, clean waves. The afternoon gets a bit lumpy with cross-off wind and drops to 5 ft, but the morning is the pick.

Friday the 21st is another solid day. 5 ft in the morning (677 energy) with offshore wind. Clean lines. The afternoon gets a bit windier and messier, but the morning is worth the early alarm.

Saturday the 22nd is a weird one. Tiny 0.3 ft in the morning with no energy, but the afternoon picks up to 4 ft (338 energy) with light cross-off wind. Not amazing, but surfable.

Then we hit a flat patch from Sunday the 23rd through Tuesday the 26th. Swell drops right off, mostly under 2 ft, with onshore or cross-onshore winds. A few glassy moments, but the wave height is just too small to be any fun at a reef like this. That’s a solid four-day gap with nothing worth paddling out for.

Wednesday the 26th sees a return of hope. Light rain, glassy conditions, and 2 ft swell (236 energy) in the morning. The afternoon gets a bit more with 2 ft and offshore wind. Clean, small, but it’s a start.

Thursday the 27th builds again: 4 ft (512 energy) in the morning with cross-off wind, and the waves are very good. The afternoon gets bigger at 4 ft but windier.

From Friday the 28th all the way through to Monday the 1st of September, we’re looking at a consistent run of 5 ft to 6 ft swell (energy ranging from 549 to 903). The mornings generally have lighter winds, often offshore or cross-off, making for clean, powerful surf. The afterdays are windier but still punchy. The best morning sessions here are Friday the 28th (5 ft, offshore, 630 energy) and Monday the 31st (5 ft, light wind, 549 energy). The afternoon of the 31st hits 6 ft (685 energy) but with cross-off wind, so still good but not as clean.

A word of warning: that 5 ft to 6 ft range is getting up there, and on a reef, it’s only for experienced surfers. The period is mostly 11-12 seconds, so it’s decent groundswell with good shape, but the sets will have some push.

Bottom line: The best window is Wednesday the 19th afternoon – glassy 5 ft with serious energy. That’s the one to circle. After that, the mornings from the 20th to the 22nd and again from the 28th to the 1st offer very good, clean waves for those who can handle the reef. The mid-period flat spell is a drag, but it doesn’t last.

Rusty.

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