La Isla Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. We’ve got a 16-day outlook for one spot, and to be honest, it’s a slow burn. The first few days are pretty marginal, so we’re looking at a bit of a wait before the real energy shows up.

The main event is La Isla, a reef and point break that takes a south-southwest swell best. The water’s sitting about average for the time of year, no real surprises there.

The first few days from Monday the 3rd through Wednesday the 5th are a bit of a struggle. We’re seeing small, short-period swell around 3ft to 5ft, with light cross or cross-onshore winds. The combined energy is moderate (474 to 728), but the wave comment says it’s marginal, and the scores reflect that. It’s not really worth paddling out for unless you’re desperate for a splash.

We start to see a glimmer on Thursday the 6th. The morning is still marginal, but the afternoon picks up a long-period swell from the southwest at 5ft and a period of 16 seconds. The wind shifts to a light cross-offshore, and the combined energy jumps to strong (1318). The wave comment says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” This is the first real standout. That long period will make the waves clean and powerful, breaking nicely on the reef, but it’s not one for beginners.

Friday the 7th and Saturday the 8th drop back into marginal territory with smaller swell and crosswinds. The energy is moderate (671 to 944). It’s a bit of a lull, but don’t lose hope.

The next big signal comes on Tuesday the 11th of August. The morning swell hits 7ft from the south with a 12-second period, and the wind is light cross-offshore. The combined energy is very strong (1562). The afternoon is similar at 7ft. This is the other standout window. That’s a solid-sized, long-period groundswell, perfect for the point and reef setup. The wave comment again says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” This is the best on offer for the whole forecast. It’s a proper session for the crew who know what they’re doing.

After that, things settle down again. From Wednesday the 12th through to the end of the forecast on Tuesday the 18th, we’re looking at mostly marginal surf. The swell hangs around 3ft to 5ft, mostly from the southwest, with light crosswinds. The combined energy is moderate (397 to 964). There are a few windows with longer periods (14 to 18 seconds) on the 13th and 14th, but the swell is just too small to really fire. The crowds at La Isla can be a factor on the good days, so get in early if you’re chasing the Tuesday session.

All in all, the best bet is the afternoon of Thursday the 6th, and the standout is Tuesday the 11th of August. That’s the one to circle.

Rusty.

Read more