Jameos del Agua Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, I’ve had a look at the forecast for the next couple of weeks here, and I’ll be honest with you – it’s a pretty grim run for Jameos del Agua. This is a reef break, fairly exposed, and it’s got a nice optimum swell direction from the north, but the wind is going to be a real problem. The water is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year at 75°, about 3° above average, so that’s a little bonus if you’re brave enough to get in.

We’re starting off on Friday, September 4th, and it’s already a write-off. We’ve got a weak 3 ft north swell with a short, snappy 7 second period, and the wind is a cross-shore northerly at 12 mph. The energy is only moderate (124), and the conditions are described as poor. Honestly, it’s a mess. This pattern just keeps on going. Saturday, the 5th, is much the same – a slightly bigger 4 ft north swell, but the wind is still cross and a bit stronger at 16 mph, and the period drops to a pathetic 5 seconds. Not worth paddling out.

Sunday the 6th, the swell bumps up to 5 ft from the north, and the wind is a fresh 19 mph cross-shore. The energy is climbing (215 and 282), but it’s lumpy and choppy. This is still a hard pass. The whole first week, right through to Friday the 11th, is a continuous stream of poor surf. The wind is almost always a cross or cross-on shore, and it’s moderate to fresh breeze strength. The swell direction is mostly north or north-northeast, and the periods are short, between 6 and 7 seconds. On Monday the 7th, we get a longer period groundswell of 12 seconds, but it’s only 3 ft from the NNW, and the wind is cross-on. The energy is getting stronger (391), but the wind is just ruining it. That’s a real shame, because that longer period would usually mean better shaped waves, but it’s not happening.

We get a bit of a break on Saturday the 12th. The wind finally swings to a cross-offshore from the NNW at 12 mph, and the conditions are described as clean. The swell is 4 ft from the north at 7 seconds, with moderate energy (253). It’s not a standout, but it’s the first time the wind has been friendly. The swell is a bit small and short-period though. Sunday the 13th is a step back again, with cross-on wind.

Then we have a gap of a few days where the surf is just poor or marginal. Nothing worth getting excited about until Wednesday the 16th of September. That day, the swell jumps up to 7 ft from the north-northeast, with an 8 second period. The energy is strong (827). But the wind is a fresh 19-22 mph cross-shore, making it lumpy and awful. That’s a lot of power, but it’s not for paddling; honestly, that setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

The only real window of hope is Thursday the 17th of September. We’ve got a 8 ft swell from the north-northeast, 8 second period, and the wind is a much nicer cross-offshore from the NNW at 16 mph. The conditions are clean. The energy is very strong (820). This is a big swell, over 8 ft, so it’s only for experienced surfers. It’s a marginal call with a score of 2, but it’s the best we’ve got in the whole 16 days. The swell direction is a bit off the optimum north, but the clean wind makes it the only real option. If you’re an expert and you’re desperate, that’s your morning. The afternoon is a little smaller, 7 ft, still clean, but a bit less energy (637).

After that, things taper off. Friday the 18th and Saturday the 19th are smaller, with 6 ft and 3 ft swells, still clean wind, but the energy is dropping fast and the period is short again. It’s just ordinary.

So, there you go. A long, dry spell of poor surf with one standout day for the experts on the 17th, and maybe a small session on the 12th if you’re really keen. It’s a tough run for Jameos del Agua, but the forecasts can always change, and it’s not a spot that stays flat forever.

Rusty.

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