Playa Santa Catalina Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s coming up for our little corner of the coast.

The pattern is a bit of a slow starter, but there’s some real magic building in the second week. The water is running at 86°, which is a solid 4° above normal for this time of year – that’s much warmer than usual, and it’s going to feel like bathwater.

The first few days are small but clean. Friday morning, July 17th, we’ve got a 3 ft SSW swell with a gentle cross-offshore breeze, so the lines will be tidy. The combined energy is moderate (404). The swell direction is a perfect match for the break’s optimum. It’s small, but it’s a fun little window to start the weekend.

Saturday morning, July 18th, drops a touch to 3 ft, but we get proper offshore wind from the N at 6 mph. The swell period is 13 seconds, so there’s some proper groundswell in the water. The break is very consistent, so you can rely on waves coming through.

Sunday morning, July 19th, is the real standout in this first week. Clean, clear skies, glassy offshore from the NNE at just 3 mph, with a 2 ft SSW swell running on a 14-second period. That’s a long-period groundswell, and while it’s small, the glassy conditions will make it ride like a dream. The combined energy is moderate (348). This is the morning to get out there early.

Tuesday morning, July 21st, is a dead-calm glass-off. The wind is zero, the swell is 2 ft from the SSW at 14 seconds, and the energy is moderate (261). It’s a tiny wave, but it will be perfect.

Now, look ahead to the *real* fire. The 27th of July, Monday morning, brings a 3 ft SSW swell with a 19-second period. That’s a very long-period groundswell, packing a combined energy of 1036 – that’s strong wave energy. Offshore wind from the N at 3 mph, making it clean. This is the top of the forecast. It’s a point break, so it handles that long period beautifully. This is the one for experienced surfers.

The 28th of July, Tuesday morning, is another winner. A 4 ft SSW swell, 18-second period, glassy with an ESE wind at 3 mph. Combined energy is 999 – nearly the same. The consistency is very consistent, so it’ll be a solid session.

The 29th of July, Wednesday morning, keeps it going with a 3 ft SSW swell, 16-second period, and glassy conditions from the NNE at 3 mph. The energy is still strong (587).

The 30th of July, Thursday morning, is the last real standout in the second week. 3 ft SSW, offshore wind from the NNE at 6 mph, 14-second period. Clean, lined-up, and consistent.

After that, the first of August weekend stays small but clean. Saturday morning, August 1st, has a 2 ft SSW swell with offshore wind and a 16-second period. It’s a gentle, glassy finish.

The biggest standout is without a doubt the Monday morning, July 27th. That combination of a long-period groundswell, offshore wind, strong energy, and the break’s perfect alignment with the SSW swell makes it the day to circle. The 28th and 29th mornings are right behind it.

Rusty out.

Read more