Playa Santa Catalina Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid run of surf on the horizon, so let’s get into it.

Right off the bat, the main event is Playa Santa Catalina, a classic point break that’s exposed to the SSW swell. It’s a very consistent setup, so it rarely goes flat. This is a spot for the advanced crew, and it can get crowded at times, so keep your head on a swivel. The water temperature is about average for the time of year.

We start the forecast on Wednesday, 22 July, but honestly, it’s a bit of a write-off. The swell is tiny at 2ft from the SSW with a long period of 11 seconds, but the wind is a light cross-onshore, making for a messy surface. The combined wave energy is weak (176). Afternoon doesn’t improve much – still small and cross-onshore, with energy dropping to 153. Not worth paddling out.

Thursday, 23 July morning, things get a little better. The swell drops to 2ft from the SSW, but the wind swings to a cross-offshore from the NNE. The energy is still low (133), but the surface is clean. It’s surfable, but only just. Thursday afternoon sees a weird spike in period to 26 seconds, but the swell height is only 1ft and the wind goes cross-on again. That’s a long-period groundswell, but without any size, it’s just a tease.

Now, Friday, 24 July morning is where it starts to get interesting. The swell is only 2ft, but the period is a very long 24 seconds, and the wind is blowing offshore from the north. The combined energy jumps to 618 (moderate energy). The conditions are clean. This is a proper point break setup, so those long-period lines will wrap in nicely. Afternoon still cleans up with a cross-off wind, but the swell drops.

Saturday, 25 July morning keeps the run going. A 2ft SSW swell, 21-second period, and a cross-off breeze from the NNE. Clean surf with moderate energy (589). This is a good morning session.

Sunday, 26 July morning is a standout. The swell holds at 3ft from the SSW, period of 19 seconds, and a cross-off wind from the NE. The energy is up to 546. Clean, glassy conditions. This is a classic Catalina morning.

Monday, 27 July is a beauty. The morning has a 3ft swell, 17-second period, and a clean offshore wind from the NNE. Energy is solid at 741. The afternoon, though, is the pick of the first week. The wind goes glassy, the swell is 2ft with a 19-second period, and the energy is 594. Glossy, clean waves – you’ll be smiling ear to ear.

Tuesday, 28 July morning sees the swell size bump up to 4ft, still from the SSW with an 18-second period and a cross-off wind. The energy is almost 1000 (994). This is a proper push of swell and the biggest we’ll see. Afternoon, the wind switches onshore, so the morning is the window.

Wednesday, 29 July morning is another good one: 4ft, 16-second period, cross-off wind. Energy is 790. Clean.

After that, the size settles back. Thursday, 30 July morning has a 3ft swell, 14-second period, and glassy conditions. A nice session. Friday, 31 July morning is glassy again with a 3ft swell and 13-second period. Energy is 299.

The first weekend of August keeps the surf alive. Saturday, 1 August morning is clean with a 3ft swell. Sunday, 2 August morning is also clean with a 2ft swell. The following week continues with similar conditions: clean mornings, small but rideable 2ft to 3ft swell from the SSW, periods around 12-14 seconds, and light offshore or cross-off winds. The last day on the charts, Thursday, 6 August morning, has a 3ft SSW swell, 14-second period, and a clean offshore wind.

The best on offer is Monday, 27 July afternoon – glassy conditions, a long-period 2ft swell, and clean lines. The next standout is Friday, 24 July morning, with that very long-period groundswell and offshore wind. Don’t sleep on Tuesday, 28 July morning either if you want a bit more size.

There are no gaps in the surf here; it’s a consistent run. Get out there.

- Rusty

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