Montanita Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get you the same story but in feet and miles per hour.

Right now, we’re looking at a quiet stretch here at Montanita. The first few days are on the small side with a lot of cross-onshore wind, so the surf is pretty marginal. It’s not a complete washout, but you’ll have to pick your moments. The water’s running at 79°F – that’s a solid 8°F warmer than usual for this time of year, which is very unusual – so at least the water’s comfortable.

Starting on Sunday, July 26th, Montanita’s got a weak 3ft swell rolling in from the WSW with a nice, long 17-second period. That period’s a good sign – it’s a groundswell, so it’ll have some push – but it’s small and the wind is cross-onshore from the SW at 6 mph. The combined swell energy is moderate at (634). The waves will be there but they’ll be a bit bumpy. Shortboarders with patience might find a few, but it’s not really calling. By the afternoon the wind picks up and goes onshore.

Monday, July 27th, sees a slight bump to 4ft from the SW with the period hitting 18 seconds – that’s very long, proper groundswell. Energy is climbing into moderate territory (909). Still, the morning cross-onshore wind from the SW at 6 mph keeps it from being clean. The afternoon flips to a direct onshore from the W – not ideal. This long period could make the waves a bit shifty, but a reef and point like Montanita can handle it better than a beach break.

Tuesday, July 28th, looks like the best of a quiet week. The swell holds at 5ft from the SW, with a long 16-second period. The combined energy jumps to a strong (1147). The wind is lighter in the morning, still cross-onshore from the SW at 6 mph, but the swell size is starting to push towards that “not for beginners” range – over 5ft, so if you’re green, give it a miss. For advanced guys, the afternoon sees the wind go onshore but light, so you could get a session in if you’re keen. This is the standout of the entire forecast, though it’s still not perfect.

From Wednesday the 29th, the swell starts to drop. It reaches 4ft on Wednesday morning but the period shortens to 14 seconds, and the energy drops to moderate (618). The cross-onshore wind is still there. By Thursday the 30th, conditions deteriorate quickly. Swell drops to 4ft, period drops to 13 seconds, and the wind becomes a gentle cross-onshore breeze from the S at 9 mph – choppy and messy. The score goes to zero, and it’s described as poor surf. That pattern of poor to marginal surf continues for the next week and a half.

Friday, July 31st, through to Monday, August 10th, sees nothing but small, weak swells – mostly 2ft to 3ft – with periods between 11 and 14 seconds, and combined energy often dropping into the weak two-digit territory. Winds are light to gentle cross-onshore or onshore, never really turning proper offshore. There’s a tiny blip on Thursday morning, August 6th, where the wind goes glassy from the SW at just 3 mph, and the swell is 3ft with a 14-second period (energy at 364, moderate), but it’s only a morning window and the overall picture is still poor.

Bottom line: The only real chance for a decent session is Tuesday, July 28th, with that 5ft SW groundswell. After that, it’s a long, flat, choppy stretch with no real standouts. It’s a gap of over a week where you’re better off doing something else. Sometimes that’s just how it goes here.

Stay safe, keep an eye on the horizon. She’ll come back.

Rusty.

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