Marengo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it.

This is a look at Marengo, a reef and point set-up that’s fairly exposed to the swell and works best with a SSW direction. The water temp here is running about average for the time of year, so nothing unusual to report there.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start. The weekend of the 11th is a write-off: Saturday morning has 3ft of SW swell at 14 seconds, but that 18 mph north wind is just cross and lumpy – not worth paddling out. Sunday the 12th sees a jump in size – 6ft in the morning and 11ft by the afternoon, both from the WSW and with a decent offshore wind, but the surf quality is still a bit marginal. With that afternoon swell topping 8ft, it’s really only one for the experienced crew, and the 25 mph wind makes it a battle.

Monday the 13th hangs in there with a solid 10ft SW groundswell at a long 16 seconds, but the wind is cross-off and the scores aren't quite standout. The real call-out begins Tuesday the 14th. That morning delivers 18ft of SW swell from 15 seconds, combined energy reading an enormous 19871 – that's proper power. Winds are fresh offshore from the WSW, and the conditions are clean. This is the top of the forecast for sheer size and energy. Be warned: anything over 8ft is expert territory, and this is way beyond that. A long period groundswell of 15 seconds will favour the point and reef lines over a straight beach, so Marengo’s structure should handle it well.

We drop back a bit for Wednesday the 15th – still a solid 7ft SW at 14 seconds, but the wind is cross-off and the energy drops to 2003. Thursday the 16th is a real treat: 5ft of SW swell, light winds, and by the afternoon we get glassy conditions. That’s a morning cuppa surf with clean lines. On the 17th, another standout: Friday brings 7ft SW, and by the afternoon the wind goes glassy calm, with a 15-second period. The wave comment says “excellent for experienced surfers” – and with clean, glassy surf and that long-period push, it’s a great option for the skilled surfer.

The weekend of the 18th-19th fades quickly: small, cross-wind chop, not worth chasing. There’s a gap of a few days where the swell dips and the wind isn’t cooperating.

Then we see a new pulse moving in. Tuesday the 21st has a morning of 7ft SW, but the afternoon blows up: 13ft SW at 12 seconds, with clean conditions and light winds. Energy spikes to 7305, and the call is “exceptional for expert surfers.” Again, that’s big and powerful – not one for the learner. Wednesday the 22nd holds at 8ft SSW in the morning, clean, but the afternoon gets a bit more mixed.

From the 23rd into the 26th, the swell stays in the 6 to 10ft range, mostly SW direction with cross-off winds. The energy remains moderate to strong, but nothing is quite as perfect as that Tuesday the 14th or the glassy Friday the 17th. If I’m picking the two true standouts: Tuesday the 14th for size and pure power, and Friday the 17th for clean, glassy conditions with a long-period groundswell – that’s your surf check moment.

Crowds at Marengo are listed as “sometimes,” so you won’t always have it to yourself, but on a Tuesday or Friday you’ve got good odds.

Stay safe out there.

- Rusty

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