Pescaderos Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve got the lowdown for Pescaderos. Honestly, it’s a bit of a quiet stretch ahead. The surf is going to be small and mostly messy, with only a few windows that might get your hopes up. The water’s sitting at 63°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so the sting’s off that at least.

We start off on Thursday, July 2, and it’s pretty grim from the get-go. The swell is tiny, around 2ft from the SW, and while the period is a long 16 seconds, the wind’s coming from the S at 6 mph, putting it cross-onshore. It’s not doing us any favours—poor surf conditions with weak wave energy (241). Thursday afternoon isn’t any better: 1ft and a 18-second period, but cross-shore winds and only a whisper of energy (307). You’d be better off staying on the sand.

Friday July 3 and Saturday July 4 roll in with the same story—2ft swell, short periods around 14 seconds, and cross-onshore or cross winds. The combined energy hangs around the 200s, weak and uninspiring. Sunday July 5 is no different, with 1ft to 2ft and mild cross-shore breezes. It’s a flat spell.

Then on Monday July 6, we get a tiny bump. Morning sees 2ft from the SSW at 16 seconds, but it’s still marginal. The afternoon gets a little interesting with a cross-offshore wind from the W at 9 mph, making it clean. Still, at 2ft and energy of 339, it’s barely a ripple.

Tuesday July 7 morning has the biggest swell so far—2ft from the SW with an 18-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 650, which is moderate. But the wind is cross-shore and light, so it’s a marginal call. The afternoon drops back to 2ft with energy down to 373. Not a standout.

Wednesday July 8 holds similar: 3ft from the SSW at 16 seconds, energy of 583 in the morning, but again cross-shore light winds. It’s rideable for a beginner on a longboard, but nothing special. Thursday July 9 shifts to a shorter-period swell from the WNW at 4ft, 9 seconds, with cross-onshore winds. The energy is moderate (486), but that short period and wind won’t give you any shape—marginal at best.

Friday July 10 morning has 3ft from the WNW with onshore SE winds at 6 mph. That’s onshore and ugly. The afternoon swings to 2ft from the SSW with a 15-second period, but onshore winds again. Saturday July 11 through to Tuesday July 14 is all small stuff—1ft to 2ft—with weak energy (down to 110 at one point) and cross or onshore winds. It’s a dead period.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Wednesday July 15 has a 1ft swell from the WNW, but the period is 18 to 19 seconds—very long-period groundswell. The energy is still weak (200), but that period is a tease. It’s not enough to surf.

The best of the whole outlook comes on Thursday July 16. Afternoon is the only time I’d get excited. You’ve got a 2ft swell from the WNW, a solid 17-second period, and glassy conditions—ESE wind at 3 mph, light and clean. The combined energy is 329, moderate, and the guidance says “expect good surf conditions.” For a break that’s fairly consistent and beginner-friendly, this is your window. The swell direction (WNW) matches the optimum (WSW) reasonably well. Keep in mind that long period like this can make beach breaks close out, but Pescaderos is fairly exposed, so it might hold. The crowd can be around sometimes, so don’t expect solitude.

Friday July 17 morning is a step back: 2ft from the WNW, 16 seconds, but cross-onshore winds from the S at 3 mph. Afternoon goes cross-shore and drops off. That Thursday afternoon is the one to aim for.

Overall, it’s a lean 16 days. From now until July 16, there’s a long gap with nothing worth paddling out for—over a week of poor or marginal conditions. That Thursday afternoon is the only bright spot, and it’s a small one. If you’re a beginner, it’s fine; if you’re looking for power, you’re out of luck.

Rusty.

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