Playa Santa Catalina Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, let’s have a look at what’s on the table for Playa Santa Catalina. This is a solid point break, exposed to the SSW, which is exactly where our swell is coming from. It’s a very consistent wave for advanced surfers, and it can get crowded sometimes. The water temp is about average for this time of year – nothing weird going on there.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but things kick off proper on Tuesday morning, July 7th. That first session is the real standout of the whole run. We’re looking at a clean 4ft SSW groundswell with a seriously long 18-second period. That’s proper energy, with a combined energy of 1142, so it’s got some grunt. The wind is a light cross-off from the NNE at 9 mph, keeping the face clean. This is a classic setup at this point – long lines, good shape, and easy paddling between sets. For experienced surfers, this is as good as it gets.

The rest of the first week is a mixed bag. Wednesday morning, July 8th, still has that 4ft SSW swell (now 16 seconds, 896 energy) and clean offshore wind from the NNE. It’s good, but not quite Tuesday’s peak. Thursday drops to 3ft, but Thursday morning July 9th has a light offshore from the NNW, so it’s clean. Friday July 10th is a treat – early morning glassy conditions with a 3ft SSW swell (404 energy) and then a wild card: Friday afternoon brings a 2ft, 18-second clean glassy wave (503 energy). That’s a tiny but incredibly clean long-period wave for the afternoon session. Saturday July 11th morning sees a 4ft swell (595 energy) with a nice cross-off. Sunday July 12th morning is glassy again with 3ft swell.

Now, as we roll into the second week, the swell drops off a bit. The mornings are generally the call. Monday July 13th morning is glassy with 3ft, Tuesday July 14th morning has a cross-off and 4ft swell. It stays fairly consistent but smaller. Then things really fizzle out toward the end of the week – Saturday July 18th is glassy in the morning but only 3ft, and Sunday July 19th brings a tiny 2ft swell with clean offshore wind. Honestly, that Sunday session is only for the die-hards on longboards.

But then – hold onto your shorts – Monday morning July 20th looks like the second real highlight. A 3ft SSW swell with a long 18-second period and glassy conditions, and the combined energy jumps right back up to 797. That’s a sneaky good morning, promising clean, lined-up waves. Tuesday July 21st morning also holds at 4ft with a cross-off (631 energy). That’s another good shout later in the run.

So, the standout is Tuesday July 7th morning, no question. My second pick is that glassy Monday morning on July 20th – it’s a little further out, so less certain, but the signs are there.

Keep in mind, this is a point break, so those long-period swells (18 seconds, 16 seconds) will wrap in nicely and not just straighten out. If you’re a beginner, steer clear when it’s over 5ft, which it never really hits here, but it’s still a powerful, advanced wave.

Alright, signin’ off. This is Rusty.

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