Montanita Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's take a look at the surf outlook for Montanita.

Honestly, the next week to ten days is going to be pretty tough going. We've got a real flat spell on our hands, and the conditions look pretty average. Don't get too bummed out though, because there is something brewing out there for the very end of the month and into September. It's a long way off, so keep your expectations in check, but there's finally some hope on the horizon.

This is a reef and point set-up, and right now, for the next week and a half, we're looking at tiny, weak surf. Swell heights are down around 1ft to 3ft, with periods mostly under 11 seconds. The energy in the water is weak, with combined energy values around 180 to 250 (low). Add to that a cross-on shore wind, and you've got yourself a recipe for bumpy, dribbly waves that are barely breaking. It's not going to be worth paddling out for much. There’s a slight bump on the morning of the 19th, up to 5ft, but the period is a short and weak 9 seconds, and the conditions are still pretty junky with that cross-on wind.

The first real sign of life shows up on Friday the 28th. We're still looking at marginal surf, but there's a definite pulse of longer-period energy arriving from the WSW. Swell heights push up to around 4ft, and the period jumps up to 18 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell. The energy numbers also jump into the strong range, hitting over 1000 (strong to very strong energy). Still, the wind is cross-on shore, so it’s going to be a bit messy, but at least there’s some push behind it.

The best of what I can see in this whole window is Saturday the 29th. We should see that swell holding in the 5ft range from the SW, with a solid 16-second period. The energy is still strong, around 1017 (strong to very strong energy). For Montanita, this is the one to keep an eye on. With this swell direction and size, the point should start to show some decent shape. It’ll be a bit of a mission due to the cross-onshore winds, but this is your best chance for something with a little bit of grunt to it. This one is promising, but it’s over a week away, so treat it as a “maybe” for now.

The 30th looks similar, with 4ft swell and a 14-second period, but it’s a step down in energy and quality. After that, it looks like we ease back into smaller, weaker surf as we head into September.

One thing to note is that the water temp is a balmy 79°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year. You won't need a thick suit, that's for sure.

I'd say the call is to wait it out. Don't waste your energy on the dribble this week. Keep watching the forecasts for that late-month pulse; it's your best shot at something fun.

-Rusty

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