La Derecha del Cartel Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, let’s have a look at what’s in store for La Derecha del Cartel.

First up, things are pretty flat for a good stretch. From Tuesday 7 July right through to late on Saturday 11 July, there’s just zero to get excited about – tiny dribbles of 1ft to 1ft from the NW with weak energy in the single digits. Clean and glassy at times, but you’d be paddling for nothing. That’s a solid five days of chalk.

Sunday 12 July finally brings a bit of life. The swell bumps to 3ft from the NNW, period at 8 seconds, and the combined energy ticks up to 90 (moderate). It’s still pretty ordinary, but the morning holds clean with a light offshore ESE breeze at 10 km/h. That’s your first chance for a few grovelly ones. Nothing special, but at least your board will get wet.

It drops back again from Monday 13 through to Thursday 16 July morning – back under 2ft and energy in the teens or less. Patchy, and really not worth the effort.

Now here’s where it gets interesting. Thursday 16 July afternoon, the swell shifts. A new NE pulse shows up at 4ft, period 6 seconds, and energy jumps to 123 (moderate). Glassy conditions with a light N breeze. That’s the first sign of something better.

Friday 17 July morning keeps that NE swell at 4ft, 7 seconds, and energy climbs to 160 (moderate). Glassy conditions again – clean, small, but surfable. It’s still a transitional period.

The standout window arrives on Saturday 18 July. Morning brings 4ft from the NE, 8-second period, and energy at 206 (moderate). The wind is light cross-offshore from the E at 5 km/h, keeping it clean. This is where the forecast says *expect good surf conditions*. It’s not huge, but it’s consistent enough and clean. In the afternoon it drops slightly to 4ft but goes glassy with calm winds – super clean, even if a little smaller.

Sunday 19 July morning gets blown out by a NW onshore at 10 km/h – avoid it. But the afternoon? That’s a beauty: 5ft from the NE, period 8 seconds, energy at 315 (strong), and glassy calm. That’s the best on offer – clean, punchy, and solid for a reef setup.

Monday 20 July keeps the run going: morning with 5ft from the NE at 9 seconds, energy 354 (strong), and a clean offshore SE breeze at 10 km/h. Afternoon holds at 5ft with the same NE direction, glassy, and energy still strong at 348. Two more sessions of quality.

Tuesday 21 July morning drops right back to 1ft from the NW – not worth it. But the afternoon swings back with 5ft NE, 8 seconds, energy 259 (moderate), and glassy – another clean session.

Wednesday 22 July morning fades away again to tiny NW junk.

Best bet overall? Sunday 19 July afternoon is the highlight – 5ft NE swell, glassy, strong energy. That reef should be working nicely. Monday 20 July all day is a close second. Crowds are likely here, it’s a spot people know, and with that quality it’ll be busy.

No water temperature data in the file, so nothing to report on that.

Stay patient through the flat start – it pays off.

- Rusty

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