Playa Santa Catalina Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s coming up for Playa Santa Catalina.

Right from the get-go, it’s a bit of a slow start. The first few days are pretty underwhelming with only tiny, weak swell around. The water’s sitting at 86°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – feels like bath water already.

Come Wednesday morning the 19th, it’s glassy as anything, with a clean 2ft SSW groundswell. The energy is weak (272), but when it's that clean and the wind is dead off the land, it’s worth a paddle. Thursday morning the 20th is the same story – glassy again, 2ft SSW, and dead calm. It’s small, but if you’ve got a log or a fish, these mornings will be your best early window.

Heads up for Friday the 21st: the swell bumps up to 4ft from the SSW with a clean cross-offshore wind in the morning. The energy climbs to 367 (moderate) and the period hangs around 11 seconds, so you’ll get some proper shape. That morning session is the first real standout of the outlook – clean, punchy, and the point should be running nicely.

Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd drop back down. Sunday afternoon sees a very long period (19 seconds) but tiny 1ft swell. Long period on a small day at a point break can still give you a few nice runners, but it'll be inconsistent.

We hit a proper lull from the 24th through to the 27th. Swell stays below 2ft with periods all over the place. Not much to get excited about. Wednesday the 26th morning has a light offshore wind, but the swell is only 1ft – barely enough to stand up on.

Now, save your energy for the end of the run. From Saturday the 29th of August, things turn on. The Saturday morning session is the standout of the entire forecast. You’ve got 3ft SSW groundswell, glassy conditions, and the combined energy jumps to 616 (moderate-strong). That’s a quality, clean window with proper energy behind it.

Sunday the 30th morning is even bigger: 4ft from the SSW, glassy again, and energy reading 633. That’s a strong, clean pulse. The swell direction is right on the optimum (SSW) for the point. The period sits at 15 seconds – that’s proper groundswell. For a point break, that’s gold. Expect long, lined-up waves and easy paddling between sets. It’s not too big, so it’s accessible for confident intermediates too.

Monday the 31st keeps the run going: 4ft in the morning with offshore wind, energy at 590. Another cracking session. Tuesday the 1st of September and the following days stay fun but start to ease back down, with clean glassy mornings and waist-to-chest high waves.

If I had to pick the absolute best, it’s Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th mornings. Glassy, clean, proper swell, and the point will be working beautifully. Crowds are possible here, so get in early.

Rusty.

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