Playa Grande Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s shaping up for Playa Grande over the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a solid run of surf coming, but it’s not all going to be perfect. The week starts off a bit average, but there’s a clear window of cleaner, stronger swell to get excited about, especially around the middle of the month. The water is sitting at a toasty 86°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you’ll be comfortable in boardshorts.

The first real standout action kicks off on Thursday afternoon, August 6th. It’s a small one—only 2ft from the SW with a period of 11 seconds—but the wind is glassy from the WNW at 3 mph. The combined energy is moderate (110), and while it’s a small wave, that clean, windless surface will make it a fun little session for a beginner. The crowd factor is a bit of a bummer here though—it’s often busy, so expect company.

By Friday afternoon, August 7th, things are already looking a lot better. We’ve got 2ft of swell from the SW, but the period jumps to 17 seconds—that’s a proper groundswell. The wind is glassy from the SE at just 3 mph, and the combined energy is ramping up to 456 (moderate). This is a great time for a longer board, just watch out for that long period making it a bit straight at the beach. The crowd will still be there.

Saturday afternoon, August 8th, is where it really starts to cook. Swell bumps up to 4ft from the SW, period drops slightly to 15 seconds, but the wind is glassy again from the ENE at 3 mph. The combined energy is 519 (moderate). This is a seriously clean, fun wave for a confident beginner to intermediate—not too big, perfectly lined up, and that glassy surface will have you smiling.

Now, Sunday morning, August 9th, the wind picks up to 16 mph cross-off from the ENE, and the swell holds at 3ft. The energy drops a bit (431), and the conditions are a bit lumpy. It's surfable, but not the best of the run. The afternoon clears up with a gentle offshore from the E at 9 mph, making it clean again. That’s a better call for a late session.

Monday morning, August 10th, is a bit of a write-off with cross-off winds, but the Monday afternoon session is a beauty: 3ft SW swell, 14 seconds, glassy SSE wind at 3 mph, and combined energy of 441 (moderate). That’s a clean, punchy little wave.

The real standout of the whole outlook, the one you’ve been waiting for, is Saturday, August 15th. The morning kicks off with 5ft of SW swell at 16 seconds, combined energy of 1117 (strong). That’s a proper, powerful swell. The wind is fresh from the ENE at 19 mph, keeping it cross-off and clean. That’s a big, long-period groundswell—bring a bigger board if you’re on a beach break, because it’s going to be a bit chunky and straight. This is expert territory at that size. The Saturday afternoon is even better: 4ft of SW swell, 16 seconds, combined energy 908 (strong), and the wind shifts to a gentle offshore from the E at 9 mph. That’s the session to aim for—clean, powerful, and less heavy than the morning. The crowd will be everywhere, but it’s worth it.

Monday, August 17th morning is another clean gem: 4ft of SW swell, 14 seconds, combined energy 521 (moderate), and a slight cross-off from the ENE at 3 mph. That’s a lovely, manageable wave for a solid session.

After that, the swell drops back a bit, but there’s still some fun, clean windows through to Wednesday afternoon, August 19th, with 3ft of SW swell, 15 seconds, and light cross-off wind from the NE at 6 mph, combined energy 502 (moderate). Thursday, August 20th, has a glassy afternoon with 3ft from the SSW at 14 seconds.

The last few days, from Friday, August 21st, the swell drops to 2ft and the wind gets messy. Not worth paddling out for.

Best on offer: Saturday afternoon, August 15th at Playa Grande. 4ft of clean, powerful SW groundswell under a gentle offshore wind. That’s your call.

Rusty.

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