Playa Pantaleta Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s break down the next couple of weeks at Playa Pantaleta (beach and reef). It’s a fairly consistent spot, exposed to the NNE, and the optimum swell direction is from the NNE. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing out of the ordinary.

To be honest, the start of this period is a bit of a slog. We’ve got a small pulse of swell coming in on Monday the 31st of August, with waves around 4 ft from the ENE and a short period of 7 seconds. The combined energy is moderate (187), but the wind is a cross-shore from the east at 9 mph, bringing a bit of chop. It’s messy. Monday afternoon and Tuesday the 1st of September are similar – marginal at best, with the wind staying cross-shore and the swell height bumping up to just 5 ft (combined energy 211) on Tuesday morning. The wind is still cross, so it’s not clean.

Now, here’s a little glimmer. Wednesday morning the 2nd of September. The wind drops right off, going glassy with a slight air from the ESE at just 3 mph. The swell is 4 ft from the ENE, period still short at 7 seconds, and the combined energy drops to 160. The conditions are “surfable but very ordinary,” but that glassy wind is a serious positive – it’ll be the cleanest looking surf of the early part of the week. The waves will be small and a bit weak, but for a sneaky session, it’s the pick of the bunch.

After that, it goes downhill fast. From Thursday the 3rd through to Sunday the 6th of September, the swell drops below 3 ft, the period gets shorter (5 to 6 seconds), and the combined energy sinks into the weak category (53 to 82). The wind stays cross-shore, and with the risk of thunderstorms, it’s pretty much a write-off. There’s a moment on Sunday morning the 6th where the wind goes cross-offshore (6 mph from the east), giving a clean look, but the swell is only 3 ft with a 6-second period. It’s rideable, but barely.

Then we get a bit of a pulse. Monday the 7th of September sees swell jump to 5 ft (combined energy 263) from the ENE, still short period (7 seconds), but the wind is light cross-shore (6 mph). It’s marginal, and the afternoon turns poor again. The energy builds through the next week, with Tuesday the 8th morning hitting 6 ft (282), but the wind picks up to a moderate 12 mph cross-shore, and the conditions are described as “poor.” Wednesday the 9th morning is similar – 5 ft (255) with a light cross-shore, but still just marginal.

The biggest swell of the window arrives on Thursday the 10th of September, with 6 ft from the ENE and a period creeping up to 8 seconds. The combined energy is a solid 356 – moderate, on the cusp of strong. But the wind is a moderate cross-shore from the east at 12 mph, creating a cross-chop. It’s messy. The Friday and Saturday that follow are similar, with swell around 5 ft to 6 ft, but always that cross-shore wind messing it up. By Sunday the 13th, the swell drops back to 4 ft, and the energy fades. The last few days (14th and 15th of September) are tiny again, below 3 ft.

The standout? It’s got to be Wednesday morning the 2nd of September. The swell is small (4 ft) and weak (160 energy), but the wind is glassy. That’s the cleanest window for a paddle. If you want a bit more size, Thursday the 10th of September has the biggest swell (6 ft, moderate energy 356), but the wind is cross-shore and choppy – it’s going to be a bumpy ride. That one is for the experienced crew only, as 6 ft is on the edge of intermediate territory.

Overall, there’s no classic, clean, long-period groundswell on offer. The short period (7 seconds) keeps the waves a bit weak and lumpy. The best bet is to wait for that glassy Wednesday morning, or take a chance on the bigger but messier Thursday the 10th. Crowds are possible at this spot, so keep an eye out.

Rusty.

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