Playa Negra Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, looking at the next sixteen days for Playa Negra. This is a consistent, advanced-level beach and point set-up that loves a good WNW swell, and we’ve got a bit of a slow cooker on our hands. The water is sitting at 86°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you won’t need a wetsuit.

The first week is pretty mellow, with small surf. Friday morning the 21st, we’ve got tiny 1ft swell from the SW with a nice 15-second period, and a gentle offshore breeze from the ENE keeping things clean. The energy is weak (112), so it’s just a gentle paddle and some small waves. The afternoon turns choppy, so no good there. Saturday the 22nd stays small, with a 2ft to 2ft SW swell, but the wind is mostly cross-off or cross, so it’s clean but not exciting. The energy picks up a bit to 257 on Saturday arvo, but it’s still just marginal.

Sunday the 23rd is where it starts to get interesting. Morning is clean but small, then by Sunday afternoon we get a proper offshore wind from the ENE and a 2ft SW swell that has a long 18-second period. The energy is climbing to 344, and the wave comment says "expect good surf conditions." That’s a solid session for the patient surfer. Monday the 24th morning keeps that 2ft, 18-second swell going with an offshore breeze, again clean lines. The energy is 327. It’s not big, but it’s quality.

The real standout, and I mean the one to circle on your calendar, is Saturday morning the 29th of August. We’ve got a 5ft SW swell with a 16-second period, and the combined energy is a massive 1173. The wind is a light offshore from the ENE, and the wave comment calls it "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." That’s the big one. It’s a proper groundswell, and at a point break like this, those long-period lines will reel off beautifully. It’s a bit on the bigger side, so it’s not for beginners, but for the experienced crew, this is the best on offer.

Sunday the 30th is also worth a mention, with a 5ft to 5ft SW swell and clean conditions in the morning and afternoon. The energy is 918 and 1052, so it’s got plenty of push. The afternoon session looks particularly good with a light cross-off breeze and those same "excellent" conditions.

Later in the second week, look out for Wednesday morning the 2nd of September. It’s a smaller 2ft swell, but it’s a long 17-second period with a light cross-off breeze and clean surf. The energy is 539, and the wave comment says "expect very good surf conditions." Then Thursday the 3rd is a gem – morning has a light cross-off breeze, and the afternoon goes glassy with a 3ft, 15-second SW swell, energy at 899. That’s going to be a beautiful, clean afternoon. And Friday the 4th of September morning is a cracker: 4ft, 17-second SW swell, glassy conditions, energy at 1149. "Excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." Saturday the 5th morning is another glassy standout with a 5ft, 16-second SW swell, energy at 1031. Absolutely pristine.

Crowds can be an issue at Playa Negra sometimes, so for those standout sessions, especially the weekend ones, be prepared to share the peak. But the waves are worth it.

Rusty.

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