La Santa - El Quemao Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at the charts for this stretch. I’m Rusty, and I’ll tell you straight: the next week and a half is a write-off for any decent paddle surfing at La Santa - El Quemao. We’ve got a long, frustrating gap before anything even remotely worth a look shows up.

The dominant wind through the coming days is a stubborn cross-onshore from the NNE, blowing fresh to strong, and it’s just wrecking the surface. The swell is coming from the wrong direction entirely—NNE, not the WNW this spot craves—and it’s short-period, lumpy junk. The combined energy is moderate at best, hitting 383 (moderate wave energy) on Thursday morning, but it’s all for nothing with that wind. Thursday afternoon stays poor, and Friday the 24th sees the swell bump up to 8 ft, with energy reaching 551 (moderate wave energy), but it’s still cross-on at 25 mph, making for a messy, blown-out mess. Saturday and Sunday the 25th and 26th push the swell to 8 ft, with energy climbing into the strong range (1021 on Sunday morning), but again, that NNE wind is relentless. This is expert-level size and power, but the conditions are so poor it’s not even worth paddling out. Honestly, for a beach-and-reef setup like this, with that much wind and chop, it’s looking more interesting for kite surfing than a surf session.

The water temperature is sitting at 72°F on Thursday morning, which is about average for this time of year, but you won’t be feeling it because you won’t be in the water.

We finally see a glimmer of hope on Saturday, August 1st. The afternoon shows a cross-offshore breeze from the NE at 9 mph, and the swell drops to 4 ft from the N with a short period of 6 seconds. The energy is weak (130), and the conditions are described as “clean” and “surfable but very ordinary.” It’s not a standout, but it’s the first sign of life.

The true standout is Sunday morning, August 2nd. The wind goes completely glassy—0 mph from the WNW, which is the optimum swell direction for this reef. The swell is a tiny 3 ft from the N, but with a period of 6 seconds, it’s weak (112 energy). It’s small, but that glassy wind is a major positive. The water will be clean as a mirror. This is the best on offer, but it’s not a classic session.

Monday morning, August 3rd, also offers glassy conditions with a slight air from the NNW, but the swell is even smaller at 2 ft from the WNW, with a period of 9 seconds and weak energy (100). It’s surfable, but you’ll be scratching for waves.

After that, the wind picks up again and the swell fades. The rest of the second week is a bust.

So, to sum it up: the first eight days are a total loss. The only real chance to get wet with clean conditions is Sunday morning, August 2nd, and maybe Monday morning, August 3rd, but both are tiny. If you’re desperate, you might get a few on Saturday afternoon, August 1st, with that cross-off. Don’t hold your breath for the rest.

Rusty.

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