Mini Capo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s break down Mini Capo. It’s a reef set-up facing the swell, and the water is sitting at 83°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year. That warmth is about 5° above average, so it’s a real anomaly out there.

Right now, it’s flat as a pancake. No energy at all in the water for Sunday, Monday, and into Tuesday morning. Sunday afternoon, Monday morning, and Monday afternoon all read zero swell energy, even though the wind is light or glassy. You’d be staring at a mirror.

Tuesday the 18th morning brings the first pulse: a 6ft swell out of the northwest, but with a short period of just 7 seconds. The combined energy is moderate at 365. Winds are cross-offshore from the northwest at 12 mph, so it’ll look clean, but the short period means lumpy, weak lines that are tough to get into. Tuesday afternoon drops to 5ft, period 8 seconds, still cross-off, but the session is a dud.

Wednesday the 19th morning offers a 4ft northwest swell with a 7-second period and energy down to 136. The wind is a glassy offshore from the east-southeast at just 3 mph – that’s a real prize for clean water. The waves are surfable but very ordinary: small, weak, closeout city. Best for beginners or a quick paddle.

From Wednesday afternoon through to Sunday the 23rd, it’s a dead zone. Swell sizes are tiny, periods are short, winds are mostly cross-onshore or light. You’re looking at a week of flatness or ripples. Nothing worth getting wet for.

Then Friday the 28th of August finally shows some life. Friday morning: 5ft northwest swell, 8-second period, energy at 250. Wind is light from the east at 3 mph but cross-shore, so a little texture. Marginal but at least there’s size. Friday afternoon settles to 4ft from the northwest, period 7 seconds, energy 150, and the wind shifts to a cross-offshore from the west at 9 mph – cleaning it right up. This is the real standout of the outlook. The swell direction works well for the reef, and those clean, cross-off conditions will give you some proper, rideable faces. It’s not huge, but it’s the best you’ll get.

After that, the energy drops into nothing through the end of August and into early September. The 30 mph northwest winds on the 31st just make a mess of it.

So the clear winner is Friday the 28th afternoon at Mini Capo. That 4ft northwest swell with clean cross-off winds is your window. Expect some company – crowds are possible – but it’s the only real session on offer. The reef can be tricky with short-period swell, but this is the pick of a long, lean stretch.

Rusty.

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