Joaquina Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what Joaquina’s got cookin’ for the next couple of weeks.

We’re kickin’ things off on Monday the 31st of August. The surf is small, just 4ft, but it’s clean. Glassy conditions in the morning, with a light rain and zero wind. It’s a little ordinary, but you can get wet. The combined swell energy is moderate at 121, and the water is sitting at 67°, which is bang on average for this time of year. The swell is coming from the southeast, which is exactly what this sandbar likes to see. Afternoon stays glassy, but the rain picks up to heavy.

Tuesday the 1st of September sees a bump in size to 4ft, but the wind shifts to a light cross-shore from the SSW, and the period stretches to 8 seconds. The energy jumps to 236, but conditions are marginal. By afternoon, the wind cranks onshore from the south at 19 mph, and the swell pushes to 5ft. It’s a lumpy, windy mess. Not worth paddling out.

Wednesday the 2nd brings more of the same – 4ft, cross-shore wind, and a 9-second period. The energy is moderate at 264, but it’s still a marginal call. The afternoon goes onshore from the SE, and it’s a write-off.

Thursday the 3rd offers a little glimmer. The swell drops to 4ft, but the wind goes cross-offshore from the NNW at 12 mph, and the period hits 11 seconds. This is groundswell territory. The energy is moderate at 269, and the conditions are clean. It’s not big, but for a Thursday morning, it’s the best we’ve seen. The afternoon has a similar feel but with a smaller 3ft swell.

Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th are a write-off. The swell drops to tiny 2ft and 2ft, and the wind is cross-onshore and choppy. Energy is weak, under 50. Don’t even bother.

We go through a long stretch of poor conditions from Sunday the 6th through to Wednesday the 9th of September. The swell climbs back up to 5ft and 6ft, and the energy peaks massively at 1325 on the Monday afternoon, but it’s all cross-onshore wind. The setup at Joaquina is a beach-and-reef sandbar, and with that much wind and swell, this is looking more like a kite surfer’s playground than a paddle surfer’s dream.

Thursday the 10th of September is still messy with onshore winds, and the swell is 5ft to 5ft. Nothing to write home about.

Now, here’s the standout. Friday the 11th of September morning. The wind goes glassy, dead calm from the SW. The swell is a clean 4ft, coming from the ESE at a 10-second period. Combined energy is a solid 311. This is the pick of the entire forecast. The water is still average temp, and the conditions are clean, clean, clean. The crowd factor at Joaquina is “often,” so expect a few locals out, but for a Friday morning, this is the session to chase.

Saturday the 12th of September morning is also glassy, with a 4ft swell from the east. It’s a solid option, but the energy is a bit lower at 266. The afternoon goes cross-offshore, which is still clean, but the wind picks up to 12 mph.

After that, the surf drops off again. Sunday the 13th and Monday the 14th are small and choppy. Tuesday the 15th of September has a tiny 1ft swell with a very long 14-second period, but there’s just not enough size to make it happen. The energy is weak at 81.

So, the bottom line: the best surf on offer is the Friday the 11th of September morning session at Joaquina. It’s not huge, but it’s clean, glassy, and the swell direction is right. The Saturday the 12th morning is a close second. The rest of the window is a mix of wind-blown junk or tiny dribble. Stay patient, and keep an eye on those forecasts.

Rusty.

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