La Preciosa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s break it down in feet and miles per hour, because I know some of you think in those numbers. This is a long look at La Preciosa from the 6th of August through the 21st, and I’ll be straight with you—it’s a rough stretch. But there’s a little light at the end.

Starting Thursday the 6th, we’ve got weak, short-period windswell from the ENE, around 4ft to 5ft, with a period of just 7 seconds. That’s barely enough to get your fins wet. The wind is a cross-off from the ESE at 12 mph, so it’s not total trash, but the wave quality is “poor” all day. The combined energy is weak, around 126 in the morning and 226 in the afternoon. The water temp is about normal for this time of year, nothing crazy.

This sad story keeps going through Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and into the next week. Swell stays under 4ft, period stays in the 6-8 second range, and the wind just keeps blowing cross-off at 12-19 mph. There’s a long stretch here—about a week—with nothing worth paddling out for. It’s flat, messy, and forgettable.

The first real sign of life shows up on Thursday the 13th morning. We get a bit of offshore wind from the ESE, and the swell bumps up to 4ft at 7 seconds from the E. The energy is still moderate (157), but the wind is “moderate offshore and clean” for a few hours. Still, the wave comment says “poor surf conditions,” so it’s not a winner—just a tease.

Things start to build from Friday the 14th through Monday the 17th. Swell runs 6ft to 6ft from the E, with a period of 8 seconds. The combined energy jumps into the 300s and 400s—moderate to strong energy. The problem? The wind is almost always cross-off, and the wave comments are still “poor” or “marginal.” The size is getting into the “too big for beginners” range (over 5ft), but it’s not a clean wave yet.

Now, the standout. On Tuesday the 18th, in the morning, we get a 5ft swell from the E at 9 seconds—a slightly longer period, which means better shape and more energy. The combined energy is a solid 422 (strong). And here’s the good news: the wind is offshore from the ESE at 12 mph, giving us “moderate offshore and clean” conditions. The wave comment says “expect good surf conditions” with a score of 2. This is your best window. The reef setup will handle this E swell well, and the offshore wind will keep it glassy. This is the day to chase. But crowds are possible, so plan for it.

Wednesday the 19th morning is a repeat: 6ft from the E at 8 seconds, offshore wind again, “expect good surf conditions.” The energy is 417, still strong. Another solid session, but Tuesday might have slightly better wave quality with that longer period.

After that, it fades. Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st see the swell drop back to 4-5ft, the wind goes cross-off, and it’s back to “marginal” or “poor” conditions. The surf gives up.

So, the bottom line: this is a tough run. There’s a long, dry spell from the 6th through the 13th. Your best bet is Tuesday the 18th and Wednesday the 19th mornings, with that E swell and offshore wind. It’s not a massive swell, but it’s clean, and that’s the best we’ve got. The reef will handle it well. Don’t expect much else until then.

Rusty.

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