Matanzas Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, and let’s talk about Matanzas. This is a solid, reliable reef setup that’s exposed to the swell, and we’ve got a decent run ahead. The water is sitting at 54° which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a decent spring suit.

Right now, we’re looking at a bit of a gap. Nothing much doing on Monday afternoon – that’s today, the 13th – with a lumpy 10ft cross-onshore mess. Not worth paddling out. Things start to turn around on Tuesday morning the 14th. We’ve got clean conditions with the wind going cross-offshore from the NNE at 12 mph, and a solid 10ft groundswell from the WSW with a 13-second period. There’s a ton of energy in the water (3150). That’s going to be a proper, powerful wave at Matanzas, but the combined energy rating puts it in the strong category. It’s for intermediates and above. The wind stays clean all day Tuesday, but the afternoon sees a slight drop in energy.

Wednesday the 15th sees the swell ease back. The morning has a clean 5ft wave, but it’s shorter period. The afternoon picks up a bit of a summer-style wave with a 5ft NW swell at 8 seconds. The wind is light and cross-off, keeping it clean. Nothing to get too excited about.

Then we hit a real rough patch. Thursday the 16th is a write-off with strong winds and tiny, messy waves. Friday and Saturday are a mix of rain and choppy, cross-shore wind with the swell bouncing between 4ft and 7ft, but the quality just isn't there. Sunday morning the 19th has a clean 6ft wave, but the wind is up, and the rain is heavy – it’s not a fun paddle.

The real standout in this whole run is Thursday morning the 23rd of July. Mark that one down. Early, we’ve got glassy conditions with an 8ft groundswell from the WSW, riding a 12-second period. The wind is just a slight air from the ESE, so it will be absolutely clean. The combined energy is very strong (1722). This is an excellent day for experienced surfers – that size and power at a reef is not for beginners. The crowd profile says "sometimes" at Matanzas, so on a quality morning like this, expect some company.

After that, it gets a bit mixed. Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th are smaller and sloppier. Then we get another solid swell arriving on Sunday morning the 26th, with a 10ft WSW groundswell at a very long 14-second period. The energy is massive (3228). The wind is light, but cross-shore, so it won’t be perfect. Still, a big, long-period groundswell will wrap in well at this reef.

The final call for the best waves comes on Tuesday the 28th. Tuesday morning, the 28th of July, has a massive 12ft WSW swell with a 12-second period and glassy conditions. The energy is extreme (3284). This is a serious, expert-only day. The wind is just a slight air from the SE, so it will be clean. The afternoon gets a bit onshore, but the morning session will be one to remember. This is the best on offer in the whole outlook.

So, to wrap it up: the first few days are messy. Get out there Tuesday the 14th morning for a solid, clean, powerful wave. But the absolute top pick of the 16-day window is that glassy, big morning on Thursday the 23rd, and then another heavy, clean morning on Tuesday the 28th.

Rusty.

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