Playa Novillero Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s talk about what’s on offer for Playa Novillero.

Right, we’ve got a solid looking run of surf stretching from Friday the 28th of August through to the end of the second week. The pattern is clean mornings giving way to messy afternoons, so it’s all about getting out there early. The swell is consistent, coming in from the WSW to SW, and the water is sitting at a remarkable 90°, which is 5° warmer than normal for this time of year – that’s a real treat.

Friday 28th August kicks things off with a glassy, 2ft swell from the WSW, period a deep 16 seconds (262 combined energy). That’s a long-period groundswell, so at a beach setup it might stand up a bit straight, but the clean conditions could make it work. The morning is your only shot, as the afternoon gets ruined by a westerly onshore wind.

Saturday 29th August morning looks excellent. We’re looking at 4ft from the WSW, still 16 seconds of period, and the energy is building (692). The wind is a cross-off from the ESE, grooming the face clean. This is a standout window.

Sunday 30th August morning has a similar vibe: 4ft from the SW, period down slightly to 14 seconds (486 combined energy), and glassy conditions under some clouds. The swell energy is moderate, but the clean surface will make it feel better than it looks.

From Monday 31st August through Wednesday 2nd September, mornings stay clean with offshores or glasses, but the swell drops back to 2ft-3ft. The period stays long at 13-16 seconds, so you’ll be scratching for the better set waves, but it’s still surfable.

Now, Thursday 3rd September morning is another standout. 3ft from the WSW, but the period jumps to 18 seconds (587 combined energy) and the wind is a light cross-off from the NNE. That’s a gorgeous looking morning for a longboard or a bigger craft to chase those long-period lines.

Friday 4th September morning is a ripper too: 4ft from the WSW, 17 seconds (826 combined energy), with a light cross-off from the NE. This is a fantastic window for clean, powerful surf.

Saturday 5th September morning keeps the run going: 3ft from the WSW, 16 seconds, cross-off wind. From here the swell holds steady around 3ft-3ft through to Monday 7th September, with clean mornings every day.

Tuesday 8th September morning drops off to a tiny 1ft, but then we build again. Wednesday 9th September morning is a beauty: 4ft from the SW, period 12 seconds (737 combined energy), glassy and clean. That’s another top pick. Thursday 10th and Friday 11th September mornings are almost identical, with 4ft from the SW, clean winds, and moderate wave energy (637 and 625 respectively).

The run finishes on Saturday 12th September with 5ft from the SW, period dropping to 9 seconds (465 combined energy). The period is short, so it will be a bit bumpy and less powerful, but the morning is still glassy.

Best of the forecast: The standout mornings are Saturday 3rd September for the sheer long-period cleanliness, and Friday 4th September for the size and power. Also, Wednesday 9th September morning is a cracker. Get down for dawn. Crowds are listed as “sometimes”, so you might have some company, but the quality on those days is worth it.

This is a beach break, so when the wind swings onshore in the afternoons, the place gets choppy and ugly. Forget it then. Mornings are where the magic is.

Rusty.

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