La Bahia Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s be real with you. I’ve looked at the charts for the next 16 days and, honestly, it’s a tough watch. The only spot on the radar is La Bahia, but the conditions just aren't cooperating.

The run starts on Monday, August 3rd, and it’s a long, dry spell of poor surf. The water is sitting at a warm 84°, which is about average for this time of year, so at least you won't need a thick suit.

Through the first week, from August 3rd to the 9th, we’re seeing weak, short-period windswell from the east and east-northeast. The wave heights are hovering between 3 ft and 5 ft, but the period is only 6 to 7 seconds. That’s short, choppy energy, and the combined energy in the water is low to moderate (between 60 and 199). The mornings are often cross-shore, which is messy, and the afternoons are cross-offshore but with a fresh breeze up to 19 mph. It’s clean in the afternoon, but the waves are just poor.

The second week, from August 10th to the 16th, doesn’t get much better. We see the same story: east swell, 3 ft to 5 ft, with periods of 6 to 8 seconds. The energy starts to build a bit, hitting moderate levels (up to 298), but it’s still windswell, not groundswell. The wind stays cross-offshore in the afternoons, so the faces will be clean, but the surf quality is consistently rated as poor. There’s nothing here that’s going to get your heart racing.

The one small glimmer comes on Monday, August 17th, and Tuesday, August 18th. The swell pushes to 5 ft to 5 ft, and the period stretches to 8 to 10 seconds. The combined energy jumps to strong levels (515 on Tuesday afternoon). The finder marks this as “marginal,” but it’s the best we’ve got. The wind is cross-shore, which isn’t ideal, but it’s the only swell in the entire 16-day window with any real push. If you’re desperate, Tuesday afternoon might offer a few waves, but don’t expect perfection.

The Pick: There’s no true standout here. The best of a bad bunch is the late Tuesday afternoon on August 18th. La Bahia will see a 5 ft east swell with a 10-second period – that’s enough to get some shape, but the cross-shore wind will keep it a bit lumpy. The water temperature stays warm. The crowds? Yep, they can show up here sometimes, so you might have some company. But honestly, if you’re a beginner, this swell is fine, but it’s not a day to tell your mates about.

Rusty.

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