Laredo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – right now, things are looking pretty flat and quiet for our corner of the coast. We’ve got a long stretch ahead with barely a wave worth paddling for, but there is a little pulse of energy building for the second week.

The first surf worth mentioning doesn’t show up until Saturday July 12th. Before that, from now through Friday the 11th, it’s a real dry spell. The swell is tiny, barely pushing 2ft most days, with short-period, weak energy that’s just not going to get you wet. We’re talking combined energy readings sitting below 100 (weak) for almost that entire first week – it’s essentially flat. The wind is often light and offshore or clean, but with no wave height to work with, it’s a write-off for surfing.

The first real glimmer of hope comes Sunday the 13th. We see a slight bump in swell. On the morning of Sunday the 13th, Laredo will pick up a 3ft swell from the NNW with a 9-second period. The combined energy jumps to 148 (moderate). The wind is light and cross-offshore from the NW, keeping the surface clean. It’s nothing epic, but it’s surfable. By Sunday afternoon, we get the best-looking window of this whole outlook: a 4ft swell from the NW, still with a 9-second period, and the combined energy climbing to 227 (moderate). Wind holds light and cross-off. That afternoon session is the standout for the whole 16 days. It’s not a huge day, but after that long flat spell, it’ll feel like a gift. The water is running at about 72°F – that’s over 6°F warmer than usual for July, which is very unusual. It’ll feel like a warm bath out there.

Don’t expect perfection. Laredo is a sheltered beginner spot, and even with this NW swell, the waves won’t have a ton of power, but the conditions will be clean. Crowds are listed as “often,” so you won’t be alone out there, but for a Sunday arvo with clean lines, it’s worth it.

After that Sunday, the swell fades back down through Monday and Tuesday, with small 2ft to 3ft waves and energy dropping back below 150. By Wednesday the 16th, we’re back to small, weak, and messy, with a short 7-second period swell and cross-onshore wind picking up. The run from Thursday the 17th onward looks flat again, with only knee-high dribble on offer.

Bottom line: if you want a wave, circle Sunday the 13th of July, especially the afternoon. The rest of the window is mostly a write-off with small, weak surf and low energy. We might see forecasts change, but for now, that one Sunday session is your best bet.

- Rusty

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