La Palue Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, listen up. Rusty here. I've been over the numbers for the next sixteen days, and it's all about one local wave: La Palue. This is an expert-only reef, exposed to the west-southwest. It stays consistent, but you gotta pick your moments.

Water temp is about 64°, which is pretty standard for the season. Nothing wild there.

First real chance to paddle out is Monday, September 14th, in the morning. You’re looking at a small 3ft wave from the west, but the wind is glassy, only 3 mph from the south. That’s clean, smooth, and perfect for working on your trim. The energy is moderate, reading 213.

Then the wind goes evil. From Tuesday, September 15th through Thursday the 17th, the swell jumps up to 5ft to 7ft from the west-northwest, but it's all onshore wind at 15-18 mph. It’s going to be a choppy, lumpy mess out there. The energy is strong, reading 500 to 1252 units, but the quality is garbage. This is more of a kite-surfing window than a surfing one.

Friday, September 18th, in the morning is where the big dogs come out. The swell is a solid 8ft from the west-northwest, with a very long 15-second period. That’s a massive 3157 units of energy (very strong). The wind is onshore at 12 mph, so it won’t be clean, but that is a heavy, powerful ocean. Do not paddle out there unless you know what you’re doing.

Now, the real standout of the entire outlook is Monday, September 21st, in the morning. The swell is a clean 6ft from the west-northwest (13-second period), and the wind is offshore from the east at 6 mph. That is the recipe for a clean, lined-up, excellent wave. The energy is 1113 units (strong). That’s the morning to circle on your calendar.

Looking ahead into the second week, Saturday, September 26th, in the afternoon has potential. The swell hits 5ft from the west-northwest with a 16-second period. That's a very long period groundswell. The wind is offshore from the east-northeast at 12 mph. It’ll be clean but watch out—those long period swells can sometimes make the wave run too straight at a beach break setup. Still, it’s a good session for the experts, clocking in at 1283 units of energy (strong).

The rest of the final week (September 23-28) is a fade. The swell drops to 2ft to 4ft. Even with clean offshore winds, the energy is only 60 to 460 units. It's surfable, but nothing that gets the heart pounding.

So let’s be real: the Monday morning (September 14th) is your glassy small-wave day, and Monday morning (September 21st) is the absolute pick of the run for quality. The big sessions on the 18th and 26th are for experts only, and carry caveats. Stay sharp.

– Rusty

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