Marengo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s talk about what we’ve got cooking at Marengo over the next couple of weeks.

We’re looking at a mixed bag, but there are a few windows that’ll get the blood pumping if you time it right. The water temp here is sitting at 57°, which is right about normal for this time of year, so no nasty surprises there.

The first bit of action that’s worth paddling out for is on Sunday the 2nd of August. It’s not a standout, but there’s chest-high swell on offer. We’re looking at 6 ft of SW swell with a long 16-second period – proper groundswell energy. The combined energy is strong (1632), but the wind is a moderate cross-off from the north, so it’ll be a bit lumpy but ridable. This is a beginner-friendly spot, so it’s a good warm-up lap. Nothing to write home about, but it gets the rust off.

Monday the 3rd sees a drop in size to 4 ft, but here’s the kicker – we get proper offshore wind from the WNW. That’s a major plus. The waves will be clean and lined up, even if they’re a bit smaller. The period is still a solid 14 seconds, so plenty of push. The energy is moderate (913), but for a Monday morning session, you could do a lot worse. The afternoon picks up a little with 4 ft and still offshore, but the rain might keep the crowds thin.

Now, Tuesday the 4th – hold onto your board. We’ve got a solid 10 ft swell rolling in from the SW with a moderate 12-second period. The combined energy is screaming at 3722, which is strong. But listen, at this size, Marengo is getting a little heavy. The wind is a cross-off, not ideal. For a beginner-friendly reef and point, 10 ft is going to be pushing into ‘too big for beginners’ territory. It’ll be a proper challenge. If you’re experienced and confident, the morning session will have some grunt, but the afternoon drops to 8 ft which is a bit more manageable.

Wednesday the 5th brings a nice cleanup. Swell drops to 4 ft, but it’s from the SSW with a long 15-second period. The wind is light cross-off from the SW. It’s a light breeze, so it’ll be clean. The energy is moderate (756). This is a good day for the intermediate crew to get some long, lined-up rides without the crowd pressure.

Thursday the 6th and Friday the 7th are small but clean. Thursday has 2 ft to 3 ft with 16-second period and light winds – glassy in the afternoon. Friday is the real sleeper pick: 5 ft in the morning, but Friday afternoon... the wind goes glassy from the NNW. That is a magic window. The swell is 4 ft, 15-second period, clean as a whistle. The combined energy is 1189. That’s the kind of session you tell your mates about. Crowds at Marengo are “sometimes” an issue, but on a Friday afternoon with glass, expect a few locals definitely in the water. This is a standout.

Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th are write-offs. Strong cross-shore winds from the north turning into a fresh breeze. The waves will be choppy and messy. Avoid.

Then we get a big pulse. Monday the 10th of August is a monster. 15 ft in the morning, pumping up to a massive 23 ft in the afternoon. Combined energy is astronomical (14798 and then 29766). But here’s the truth: this is way, way too big for Marengo. This is an expert-only, possibly life-threatening scenario. The comments say it’s too big for this break, and I agree. Only proper big-wave chargers with a death wish should be looking at the Monday afternoon session. Tuesday the 11th drops back to 10 ft with offshore light winds – still big, but cleaner. Again, experts only.

The rest of the second week (August 12th to 17th) is dominated by big, lumpy swell (10 ft to 23 ft) with onshore or strong cross-shore winds. Combined energy values are in the thousands, but the quality is poor. There are a few moments on the 15th (Saturday) with offshore wind on 21 ft swell – huge, but clean. Still, that’s a big-wave game only.

So, the true standout: Friday afternoon, August 7th. Glassy conditions, chest-high SW groundswell, long period. That is your winner. For a second nod, Wednesday morning, August 5th offers clean, smaller waves for the less confident.

Get on it.

- Rusty

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