La Palue Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. The next couple of weeks here are looking pretty flat and messy for the most part. We got a real slow start, and honestly, it’s not until mid-month that we see anything with a bit of push behind it. There’s a patch of cleaner days, but the windows are tight. We are in for a lot of onshore slop, so keep your expectations in check unless you’re willing to be patient.

Right off the bat, things are poor. Thursday the 6th has a bit of swell at 3ft but it’s coming from the WNW with a short 6-second period, so it’s mostly just chop. The wind is cross-onshore, and it’s not looking surfable at all. The energy is weak, around 109, and the water’s a touch warmer than usual at 66°F. That’s worth noting for the first break we’re talking about, La Palue. It’s a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, but not a huge deal.

The whole first week is pretty dire. We’ve got a few mornings where it cleans up – like Friday the 7th morning, but the swell is a pathetic 1ft. The energy is next to nothing at 28. The weekend follows suit, barely a ripple. Sunday the 9th morning has a tiny 2ft swell and clean conditions, but it’s so weak it’s barely worth paddling out. The energy is still in the 90s, which is weak. Monday the 10th morning is glassy with 2ft, but again, just no power. These are days you’d take the longboard out for a splash, not for a proper surf.

We get a little bump around Wednesday the 12th. The morning is glassy, and the swell is 3ft from the west with a 10-second period. The energy jumps a bit to 154. It’s surfable, but still pretty ordinary. The afternoon, though, is ruined by onshore winds. Thursday the 13th morning is probably the best of the first week. The swell picks up to 4ft from the west, the period is 10 seconds, and the wind is a light cross-offshore from the NE. The combined energy is 231 – moderate. This is a proper window, and it’s the standout for this early stretch. The waves will have some shape, but it’s not huge – clean and fun for the crew who can handle a bit of a crowd. La Palue is an expert spot, so keep that in mind.

After that, it falls apart again. The winds turn onshore, and the swell drops back down. The next week is mostly poor, with lots of cross-onshore winds and short-period junk. There’s a brief moment on Sunday the 16th where the swell pushes up to 5ft, but the period is a short 8 seconds, and the wind is cross-onshore. It’s just a mess, and the energy is getting up there at 233, but it’s all wind chop. From the 17th onward, the wind gods aren't on our side. Monday the 17th afternoon has a fresh cross-onshore breeze at 22 mph and it’s lumpy. Not worth it.

The long-range stuff is nothing to write home about either. The energy levels stay moderate, around 200, but the period stays short, and the winds are mostly onshore. There’s a moment on Wednesday the 19th morning is glassy, but the swell is back down to 1ft. It’s a tease. The following Thursday the 20th has a bit more size at 4ft, but it’s onshore and no good. Looking at the 21st, it’s still onshore and messy. The whole second week is really just a write-off for any proper surf.

So, overall, it’s a slow 16 days. The one highlight is that Thursday morning on the 13th. That’s your window to get some clean, head-high waves at La Palue. It’s an exposed spot, and the swell direction is WNW, which isn't quite the optimum WSW, but it's still the best on offer. The water’s slightly warm, and the morning glass-off will make it clean. The rest of the time, you’re just watching the buoys and hoping.

Rusty.

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