Jalama Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. I’m looking at the next couple of weeks, and honestly, it’s a tricky stretch for Jalama. We’ve got some swell around, but the wind and conditions are fighting us most of the time.

The forecast kicks off with a little bit of energy in the water right from Saturday, August 8th, but it’s not pretty. Early morning shows a clean 3ft SSW groundswell with a very long 17-second period. The water is sitting at 68°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year – that’s a solid four and a half degrees above average, so it’s a real treat for your skin. But the wind is cross from the WNW at 15 km/h, and the wave comment says poor surf. The combined energy is moderate at 466. It’s just not happening.

Sunday, August 9th, the morning is glassy – light offshore from the SSW at 5 km/h – but the swell is only 3ft at 15 seconds. It’s a marginal call, and the combined energy drops to 360. It’s not gonna be worth the paddle. Sunday afternoon picks up a bit to 4ft from the NW with a short 10-second period, but a light cross-onshore breeze messes with the surface.

Monday through Wednesday morning, we’re stuck in a pattern of 4ft to 5ft NW windswell with short periods (9-10 seconds) and light cross-onshore winds. The combined energy sits between 400 and 690, which is moderate, but the wave comment keeps saying marginal. There’s just no quality here – it’s bumpy and weak.

Thursday, August 13th, brings a brief moment of hope. Thursday afternoon the wind goes light offshore (on) from the SW, with a 4ft NW swell at 9 seconds. Combined energy is moderate at 542. It’s still a marginal forecast, but at least the wind is right. Friday morning continues that trend with a 2ft SW groundswell at 15 seconds and light cross-onshore wind, combined energy 557. Close, but still just a “2” on the score.

Now, the real standouts are further out. Look at Wednesday, August 19th. Morning shows a 6ft NW swell, short period at 7 seconds, but the combined energy jumps to 1058 – that’s strong energy. The wind is a light cross-shore from the WNW. By afternoon, it gets even better: 7ft NW with clean cross-off winds from the NW at 25 km/h, combined energy 1117. That’s a solid wall of water. But with the short period (7 seconds), it will be a bit lumpy and not super well-shaped. This one is for intermediate to advanced surfers only – over 5ft is a handful, and at 7ft it’s pushing into expert territory.

The week after that, from August 20th onward, we see a slow drop in size but the wind stays problematic. Most days have moderate to fresh cross or cross-off winds, keeping the surface clean at times, but the swell periods are short (7-8 seconds) and the combined energy hovers in moderate territory (398-669). Saturday, August 22nd afternoon shows 6ft NW at 8 seconds with clean cross-off wind and combined energy 669, which is okay but not a standout.

Honestly, the best on offer is that Wednesday, August 19th window. It’s not perfect – the short period is a downside – but the combination of strong energy (1058-1117) and clean wind makes it the most promising day in the whole outlook. If you’re an experienced surfer and can handle a bit of chop, that’s your call.

Rusty.

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