Potrero Grande (Ollie's Point) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s cooking for the next couple of weeks.

First up, we’re looking at a pretty consistent but very small run of swell. The waves are there, but they’re not going to have much power behind them. The water’s sitting at 85°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – feels nice, like a warm bath.

The main event is at Potrero Grande (Ollie's Point). It’s a beginner-friendly point break setup, and it’s consistent. The swell’s coming from the SW, which is exactly what this spot wants to see. The big catch here is the size. We’re talking a tiny 2ft to 2ft for the vast majority of the period. The period on Friday the 10th is a solid 15 seconds, so there’s long-period groundswell energy coming in, meaning the waves that do show up will have some shape and push, but you’ll be waiting for them. The combined swell energy is moderate, hanging around 123 to 159 for the first week, but with such small heights, it’s a lot of water movement without much face to ride.

The wind story is actually pretty good. Almost the entire run sees offshore winds from the ENE or NE, cleaning up that little swell nicely. Through the first week, from Friday the 10th through to Tuesday the 15th, it’s surfable but very ordinary. You’ll get a knee-high wave with a clean face. It’s not going to get your heart racing, but for a beginner or a longboarder, it’s perfectly rideable. Crowds are a possibility here, so with such small waves, expect a few other folks out looking for the same little nuggets.

There’s a bit of a shift starting on Monday the 20th of July. The swell direction swings to the WSW and the period stays long, with the combined energy jumping up to 215 on the afternoon. This is the standout window, but it’s still only 2ft. The bigger energy just means a bit more push in that small swell. The winds get stronger too, freshening up from the NE at 18-21 mph. It’ll be clean, but you’re going to be fighting the wind paddling out for a 2ft wave. Not worth the battle for most.

Now, a notable mention: on the afternoon of Tuesday the 21st of July, the wind goes glassy from the ESE, and we see a 2ft WSW groundswell. That combo, combined with the risk of a thunderstorm, could give you a rare, silky-smooth session if you can get in before the storm hits. The combined energy is 166, so it’s got some weight for its size. That afternoon is probably your best shot at a clean little wave in the whole forecast.

The last few days, from the 23rd to the 25th, the swell drops right off. We’re looking at 0.6ft to 2ft with weak energy (50 to 99). The 25th has a glassy morning, and the 25th afternoon goes glassy again with a little 2ft SW swell. It’s small-craft stuff, but if you’re desperate for a surf, that’s your window.

Overall, keep your expectations on the floor. It’s a small, clean period, and the best bet is to wait for that glassy afternoon on the 21st of July for a shot at a tiny, tidy wave at Potrero Grande. Don't buy a new board for this one.

Rusty.

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