San Bartolo - Izquierditas Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s cooking at San Bartolo - Izquierditas over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, our spot is a reef/pier set-up that’s very consistent and exposed to the SW swell. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, nothing wild there. But don’t get too excited just yet – the first few days are a mixed bag.

We’ve got some decent size rolling in right now. Tuesday morning sees a 7ft SW swell with a 13-second period, but it’s coming with a cross-shore breeze and the energy is pumping at a solid 1361 (moderate to strong). Thing is, the conditions are a bit marginal and the tide might mess with it. Tuesday afternoon, the swell jumps to 8ft from the SSW, period drops slightly to 12 seconds, and the energy is up to 1869. This is where it gets interesting – the wind is still cross, but the forecast says it’s actually too big for this break. That’s big-wave territory for the experienced crew only; beginners, stay on the sand.

Wednesday keeps that size, 7ft from the SSW, with a lighter cross-onshore breeze in the morning and a cross-shore in the arvo. The energy stays high (1931 in the morning). Again, it’s flagged as too big for the break, so only the bold and the skilled should be looking at it.

Thursday the swell starts to back off a bit, down to 7ft from the S, but the energy drops to 776. The morning has offshore wind (on), which is a rare treat for cleanliness, but the conditions are marginal. That offshore wind is a major positive if you can get the tide right.

Then we hit a real quiet spell. From Friday the 21st of August all the way through to Thursday the 27th of August, it’s mostly small, weak, and messy. Swell heights hover between 1ft and 4ft, periods are short and uninspiring (8-9 seconds mostly), and the energy is weak – mostly under 300. Winds are cross-onshore most of the time. Not worth paddling out for. There’s a little blip on the 22nd with a 1ft swell but a very long 19-second period – that’s a groundswell, but it’s just too tiny to do anything with.

Now, here’s the standout. Keep your eyes on Friday the 28th of August. The swell starts to build again, hitting 4ft in the morning and 5ft in the arvo from the SW with a long 16-17 second period. Energy jumps to 1377-1391 (moderate to strong). That’s some proper groundswell pushing through. It’s still a bit marginal on the forecast, but this is the first sign of life.

But the real gem of the whole outlook? Saturday the 29th of August. Morning session has a 7ft SW swell with a 15-second period, energy cranking at 1915 (strong). The wind is offshore (on) and light. That’s the combo we dream about. The forecast says it’s wind and tide favorable, but again, warns it might be too big for the break. For a reef setup like Izquierditas, that long-period groundswell will wrap in nicely. It’s an expert-only day, but for the chargers, that is the session to circle. Saturday afternoon backs off a touch to 7ft, and the wind goes cross-onshore, so the morning window is the call.

Sunday the 30th still has some size at 5ft from the SW, but the conditions are more marginal. After that, the swell fades out again into the start of September with smaller, less energetic surf.

So, to sum it up: the first half of this forecast is either too big or too small, with a long flat spell in the middle. The only true standout is Saturday, 29 August morning at Izquierditas. That’s your one. Be there early, tow the line, and respect the reef. Everything else is just filler or for the die-hards.

Rusty.

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