La Palue Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about what’s shaping up in the water.

Honestly, I’m looking at a pretty flat and quiet stretch for a while. There’s a long gap at the start here – nothing worth paddling out for at La Palue for the first week or so. The first few days of the forecast period are a write-off, just tiny dribbles of swell with no energy to speak of. We’re looking at weak, low-energy conditions (combined energy values in the 18 to 50 range), with tiny waves and mainly poor surf. It’s not until the 22nd of July that we even see a hint of something surfable, and even then it’s described as “very ordinary.”

The real standout, and the only time I’d really get excited, is the morning of Wednesday, 29 July. That’s the one to circle on the calendar. We’re looking at a solid 6 ft swell coming from the west with a 10-second period, which gives it some decent push. The combined energy jumps to 529 (moderate to strong wave energy), which is a big step up from everything else. The wind is light from the southwest, blowing cross-onshore but with only a light breeze, so it should be pretty clean with just small wind ripples. The optimum swell direction for La Palue is WSW, and this west swell is close enough to get in there. Water temperature is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Now, a heads-up – La Palue is an expert-only spot, and it breaks consistently, so it can handle a bit of swell. But 6 ft is getting into the territory where it’s not for beginners, and at this size, it’s best for experienced surfers. Crowds are *often* a factor here, so expect some company if you’re heading out.

The week leading up to that, from the 24th to the 27th, we see some bigger swell (5 ft to 6 ft), but the wind is all wrong – cross-onshore and choppy, with strong breezes making a mess of it. The 25th afternoon has a marginal call with a 4 ft west-northwest swell and light cross-shore wind, but it’s nothing to write home about.

So, if you’re looking for a proper session, keep your eyes on that Wednesday morning, 29 July. It’s still a week and a half out, so the forecast could shift, but right now, that’s the only one that’s got my attention.

- Rusty

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