Los Pocitos Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you—this outlook for Los Pocitos is a proper mixed bag. The next week and a half is going to be mostly small and average, with only a few windows where it actually turns on. If you’re keen, you’ll want to pick your moments, and the real standouts are tucked away at the tail end of this forecast.

The water temp at Los Pocitos is sitting right about average for this time of year, so no dramas there—just your usual boardshorts or a light spring suit depending on how you run.

We start this Saturday morning, the 29th of August, with a clean but very ordinary 3ft of swell out of the ENE, with a weak 6-second period. The offshore breeze is there, keeping the surface glassy, but the energy is seriously lacking—combined energy is only 86. It’s surfable, but you won’t be writing home about it. The afternoon drops off hard to almost nothing, so don't bother.

Sunday the 30th is a bit better, with 4ft of NE swell and a 7-second period. Still small, still a bit junky, but clean with light offshore winds. The energy ticks up slightly to 117. It’s a grovel board kind of day. Monday the 31st bumps up to 4ft with 5ft in the afternoon, and the combined energy gets a little more interesting at 169 and 198, but the period is still short. It’s that classic short-period, wind-swell stuff—fun if you’re desperate, but it won't hold much shape.

Through the first part of the week, Tuesday through Thursday, expect the same story: 4ft to 5ft of ENE swell, short 6-7 second periods, and clean mornings. The energy sits in that weak to moderate range (116-147). There are occasional afternoon storm risks, so mornings are your friend here. It’s all surfable, but it’s a lot of paddling for not much push.

Then comes Friday the 4th of September—a proper flat spell. The swell drops to 0.3ft with a 10-second period, and you’re looking at essentially nothing. Zero energy, terrible conditions. This is the gap you should plan around. It’s not worth getting wet.

We start to see a pulse pick back up on Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th, with 3ft waves and a little more life in the water, but still nothing exciting. The energy is low (58-81). Then things start to shift. Sunday afternoon and into Monday the 7th, the swell pushes up to 5ft, and the energy climbs to 151, then 178, then 191. Still short period, but the ocean is waking up.

The first real standout window arrives Tuesday afternoon and into Wednesday the 9th of September. Tuesday afternoon brings 5ft of ENE swell with a 7-second period, but the energy jumps to 215. By Wednesday morning it’s 5ft and 234, and then Wednesday afternoon is the one to circle: 7ft of ENE swell, the period stretches to 8 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to a solid 499. The wind is light offshore, keeping it clean. This is proper surf—a step up from the grovel fest. The swell direction is on the money for this spot, and with that kind of energy, the banks should finally have some push behind them.

Thursday the 10th of September is the big one, though. That’s the standout of the whole run. Morning brings 7ft of ENE swell with an 8-second period, and the energy hits 534—that’s a serious amount of water moving. The wind is a bit cross-offshore which is fine, keeps it clean. This is the best on offer, without a doubt. It’s still not an absolute monsters session, but it’s the most powerful, well-shaped swell we see in the whole 16 days. Friday the 11th drops slightly to 6ft and 6ft, but the energy is still significant at 373 and 307. Good waves are still there, just a notch below Thursday.

The last couple of days, the 12th and 13th of September, settle back down to the 5ft to 5ft range, with the period staying around 7 seconds. The energy is still moderate-strong, around 200, so there’s still fun to be had. But nothing will beat that Thursday the 10th.

One thing to note: this break is fairly consistent, so even when it’s small, there’s usually something to ride. The crowds can pop up sometimes, especially when the surf gets good, so get out early. And honestly, for most of the first week, it’s small enough that a longboard or a fish is your best bet. When Thursday rolls around, break out the shortboard.

Bottom line: the week ahead is average, but don't sleep on Wednesday afternoon through Friday. It’s the pick of the bunch.

Rusty out.

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