La Paloma Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get stuck into it.

The 16-day outlook for La Paloma starts off dead flat, with nothing rideable for the first few days. We’re lookin’ at tiny, weak, short-period scraps and crummy conditions until things start to show some life later on. You’ll need to sit tight and wait for that weekend of the 30th to see anything worth wetsuiting up for.

Tuesday the 18th and Wednesday the 19th are total write-offs – swell below 2 feet, light wind but no power at all. The combined energy is barely a whisper. You’d be better off cleaning your board.

Thursday the 20th is where we first feel a pulse. Early morning sees a lift to about 4 feet from the NNW with a 10-second period, combined energy at 391 (moderate). The wind is cross-onshore though, so faces are bumpy and messy. Thursday afternoon improves a little – 5 feet from the NNW, period jumps to 12 seconds (that’s longer period groundswell), energy at 541 (moderate). Still cross-onshore wind though.

Friday the 21st keeps building. Morning is 5 foot from the NNW, period 10 seconds, energy 490 (moderate) but it’s onshore wind. Afternoon swell reaches about 6 feet, but again cross-onshore breeze. Rideable but nothing to call home about.

Saturday the 22nd drops back to 4 feet, period dropping to 8-9 seconds. Cross-onshore wind still. The energy dips to 213 – it’s a step back.

Sunday the 23rd brings a new morning: glassy conditions with 3 foot swell from the NNW, but the period is a short 7 seconds and energy low at 104. Weak, fat waves. Afternoon still small and crumbly.

Monday the 24th offers more 4 foot swell from the NNE, period only 6 seconds, energy at 116. Glassy morning but the short period means quick, fat waves that close out.

Tuesday the 25th and Wednesday the 26th see another drop. Tiny, inconsistent, and either glassy but weak or wind-affected. Not worth it.

From the 27th to the 29th, we see a slight energy increase but still small (under 3 feet) and period creeping back up. Winds mostly cross or cross-onshore. Surfable but ordinary.

Now, the real standout window comes at the end of the forecast. Sunday the 30th of August is the bright spot. Morning brings 5 foot from the NNW with a 10-second period, combined energy at 469 (moderate), and clean surf thanks to cross-offshore wind. Afternoon glass off with calm wind, 4 feet from the NNW, period 9 seconds, energy 315 (moderate). Good clean conditions for intermediate surfers. La Paloma is an exposed NW-facing spot, so the direction is dead on. Crowds are often here, so be ready.

Then Tuesday the 1st of September pushes a bit bigger – 6 to 6 foot from the NW, period 11 seconds, combined energy jumping to 777 and 651 (strong). Light cross-offshore winds in the morning and afternoon make this clean. This is the best on offer – solid groundswell, decent period, clean faces, and at 6 to 6 feet, it’s still fun for most intermediates. Crowds are likely, so get in early.

Wednesday the 2nd of September holds similar size but wind turns onshore and cross-shore, so quality drops off.

Water temp is around 70°, about a degree and a half warmer than usual for this time of year, so it’s feeling pretty nice.

So to wrap it up: first week and a half are mostly flat or poor. The window from the 30th of August through the 1st of September is your best bet. Come early for the cleanest sets, and expect company.

Rusty

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