Derecha de los Alemanes Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you. Looking at the 16-day window for the local lineups, we’ve got a long, frustrating gap of nothing to get excited about. The first decent opportunity isn't until quite a way off, and even then, it comes with strings attached.

From now through to late August, the story is one of persistent cross-onshore winds and poor surf conditions. There’s a real dry spell here. The swell direction is predominantly from the North, which is not the ideal combo for the standout break, Derecha de los Alemanes. For that reef, the optimum is from the NNW, so this northerly energy is just off-angle and messy. The wind is a constant issue, mostly a moderate to fresh breeze out of the NNE or N, keeping everything lumpy and chopped. For over a week and a half, you’re looking at surf in the 3 ft to 5 ft range, but it’s all poor quality with no recommendations to speak of. It’s a flat patch in terms of rideable waves.

Hold out for Sunday the 23rd of August. That’s when things finally start to shift. We see a pulse of groundswell arriving with a period stretching to 10 seconds, bumping the wave height up to 5 ft. The combined energy of all swells jumps to a strong level (472). That’s real energy in the water. The swell is still from the North, so it’s not perfectly groomed for Alemanes, but the increased size and longer period give it more push and shape. The wind, while still cross-onshore, eases a little, which helps.

Even then, Sunday afternoon, the wind swings a touch more NW, still cross-onshore, but it’s the best we’ll see. The swell holds through Monday the 24th at 5 ft with a 9-second period from the N, but the breeze tends more northerly again, keeping that chop in the water. It’s a window, but not a clean, perfect one. Keep your expectations tempered; this is about getting a wave, not a world-class session.

The water is sitting at a comfortable 74°F, which feels a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you can leave the winter rubber at home.

So, the long and short of it: a big fat gap of nothing, then a glimmer of hope on the 23rd and 24th for a bit of grunty, workable surf. It’s a reef setup, so the longer period will help with shape, but it’s not the standout clean day we all dream of. Keep an eye on the forecasts; it tends not to stay poor forever.

Rusty.

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