La Popular (Mar-del-Plata) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, the next couple of weeks at La Popular (Mar-del-Plata) are a bit of a mixed bag—a few clean windows, but nothing that’s gonna have you ringing in sick for work. The first week has some real promise, especially if you’re an experienced surfer, but the second week looks flatter and more frustrating.

We start off Monday morning, August 3rd, with a glassy, bump-free surface. Swell is a modest 4ft from the SSE, with a period of 10 seconds, and the combined wave energy is moderate at 347. It’s clean, but not a standout. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing to write home about. Tuesday morning, August 4th, is similar—3ft from the SE, glassy, but the energy drops to 230. These are okay sessions for an intermediate, but nothing to get emotional about.

The real standout arrives on Friday morning, August 7th. A solid 10ft SSW swell hits, with a short period of 8 seconds, but the wind is a strong offshore from the WSW at 19 mph. The combined energy is a massive 1051—strong, powerful stuff. But here’s the thing: that 10ft is too big for this break, and the short period means it’s gonna be a lumpy, expert-only affair. If you’re a seasoned charger, this is your window, but beginners should stay well clear. Saturday morning, August 8th, is a better bet for most: 6ft from the SSE, a longer 11-second period, moderate offshore wind, and a combined energy of 672. That’s clean, well-shaped, and surfable for a strong intermediate.

The next big highlight is Tuesday afternoon, August 11th. A solid 7ft S swell, with a 10-second period, and a gentle offshore wind from the WSW at 9 mph. The energy is very strong at 1618, and the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. This is the best on offer in the whole forecast—clean, powerful, and with some real push. If you can get out there, do it.

After that, things drop off. Wednesday, August 12th, has 5ft from the S, but the wind goes cross-off and the energy drops to 491. It’s surfable, but ordinary. From Thursday, August 13th, through to the end of the forecast on Tuesday, August 18th, it’s a long, slow decline. Swell shrinks to below 3ft, winds turn cross or onshore, and the energy readings are weak to moderate. The last few days see a bit of a pulse from the ENE, but the cross-shore winds make it messy. There’s a gap of about five days with no real recommendations, so you’re looking at a flat spell from the 13th to the 18th.

Overall, the best bet is Tuesday afternoon, August 11th, for the experienced crew, with Saturday morning, August 8th, as a solid second option for intermediates. The rest is mostly waiting for a better forecast.

Stay salty,
Rusty

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