La Paloma Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here.

Look, I’ll be straight with you – if you’re after decent surf at La Paloma in the next 16 days, you’re going to have to be patient. There’s a big gap of nothing worthwhile right at the start. The first real glimmer of hope doesn’t show up until Monday morning, July 20th, and even then it’s just marginal. The water is sitting at 66°, which is about average for the time of year, so nothing to get excited about there.

The first few days are a write-off. From Friday, July 17th right through Sunday, July 19th, it’s all tiny, weak, and messy. We’re talking 0.7ft to 3ft of short-period slop with cross-shore winds. The combined energy is barely a whisper (13), so don’t even bother paddling out.

Monday, July 20th morning, the swell starts to show a pulse with 5ft from the north, period 7 seconds, and the energy jumps to 232. The wind is light cross-shore though, so it’s not clean. By Monday afternoon, the swell picks up to 7ft from the NNE, still short period, but the wind shifts to a cross-offshore breeze, making it clean. The energy is strong (509). That’s the first moment where it’s worth a look, but 7ft on a short period is a bit of a handful – better for the experienced crew.

Tuesday, July 21st morning sees 5ft from the NE, period 7 seconds, with clean cross-offshore winds (244 energy). Not a standout, but a solid option for intermediates. The afternoon gets blown out by 25 km/h winds, so don’t bother.

Then we hit another dry spell. From Wednesday, July 22nd through Saturday, July 26th morning, it’s mostly small, weak, and cross-shore again. The energy drops below 200, and the waves are poor.

Now, the one true standout – the best on offer in the whole 16 days: Sunday, July 26th morning. The swell is 4ft from the NNW, period 7 seconds, but the wind goes glassy. The combined energy is solid (235), and those glassy conditions will make it clean as a whistle. The break is exposed, very consistent, and the optimum swell direction is NW, so this NNW swell is in the right ballpark. For a spot that’s often crowded, expect some company. This is the session to aim for.

The following week shows a few more pulses, but nothing beats that Sunday morning. Monday, July 27th has 4ft from the NNW with a longer 9-second period (295 energy), but the wind is cross-shore, so it won’t be as clean. Thursday, July 30th has a big energy spike (452) with 4ft from the NNW, but again cross-shore winds. The very last day, Friday, July 31st morning, has a nice 4ft, 11-second period groundswell from the NNW, with clean cross-offshore winds and 372 energy, but by then you’re looking at a month away, so keep an eye on it.

Pretty much all the swells are from the north to NNW, which lines up with the optimum direction, so that’s a plus. But the short periods (mostly 5-8 seconds) mean the waves won’t have much shape or power unless you get that 11-second pulse on the 31st. For beach breaks, short period is a pain, but La Paloma is exposed, so it’ll still wrap in.

Crowds are often an issue here, so for that Sunday morning glass-off, get in early.

If you’re a beginner, the 5ft to 7ft days are a bit much, and the 0.7ft to 3ft days are too weak to learn on. The 4ft to 4ft days are your sweet spot.

So, in short: wait for Sunday, July 26th morning. That’s your window. The rest is a waiting game or for the die-hards.

Rusty.

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