Puerto Viejo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again, but in feet and knots.

We’ve got a solid run of surf on the menu for Puerto Viejo, starting with a few small, clean days that build into a real sweet spot early next week. The water is sitting at 71°F, which is a massive 9°F warmer than normal for this time of year – that’s incredibly unusual, so you’ll be surfing in bathwater. The overall swell energy is moderate to strong, with values climbing into the 500s and 700s (combined energy), so there’s genuine push in the water.

Friday morning, 24 July, kicks things off with 2ft of swell from the southwest, period around 20 seconds. That’s proper long-period groundswell, and with a light cross-offshore breeze, the waves will be clean. The energy is already building at 409 (moderate). For a beach and point break like Puerto Viejo, that long period could make it a little straight on the beach, but the point should handle it nicely. The afternoon gets a bit messy with a cross wind, so morning is the call.

Saturday 25 July and Sunday 26 July keep that same 2ft height, but the wind gets even better. Sunday morning is glassy – dead calm – and the energy jumps to 577 (moderate). That’s going to be some of the cleanest, most user-friendly small wave surfing you’ll see. The swell direction is still SW, spot on for the optimum.

Then Monday 27 July is where it really starts to hum. The swell bumps up to 3ft in the morning, swinging to 4ft by the afternoon. Period drops to 16 seconds, still a solid groundswell. The wind goes offshore in the afternoon, and the energy hits 795 (strong). That’s the standout session of the first week – clean, building swell, and light offshore wind. The water is still far warmer than normal, so you’ll be in boardshorts.

Tuesday 28 July is the best of the bunch. 4ft of swell, 15-second period, offshore winds all day, and the energy is 746 in the morning and 752 in the afternoon (strong). This is the highlight – bigger, clean, and consistent. The break is fairly consistent, but crowds are often here, so expect company. The swell direction is SW, which is the optimum for this spot, so the point will be reeling.

Wednesday 29 July and Thursday 30 July see a slow drop-off, with 4ft to 4ft of swell and periods shortening to 12-13 seconds. Winds are cross-offshore or offshore, so it’s still clean, but the energy fades from 567 down to 384 (moderate). Still worth a paddle.

Friday 31 July turns small again, 3ft, and the energy drops to 246 (weak). The wind is offshore, but the surf is ordinary. Not the day.

Saturday 1 August has a tricky morning with cross-onshore wind and a short-period 4ft S swell at 8 seconds – that’s messy and blown out. The afternoon cleans up with cross-offshore wind and 3ft SW swell, so wait for the tide.

Sunday 2 August to Thursday 6 August is a mixed bag. A few mornings have poor conditions with cross winds or short-period slop, but the afternoons generally clean up with cross-offshore breezes and 3ft to 4ft of swell. The energy is mostly weak to moderate (235 to 380). Nothing to write home about, but there are rideable waves if you’re keen.

Friday 7 August into Saturday 8 August, the second week, brings a nice pulse. On Friday 7 August, the swell holds at 4ft but the period jumps to 15-16 seconds, and the energy rockets to 646 in the morning and 743 in the afternoon (strong). Offshore winds both days. That’s another standout – long-period groundswell, clean, and with the energy back up. It’s promising, but remember, it’s a week and a half out, so keep an eye on it.

The best of the whole run? Monday 27 July afternoon and Tuesday 28 July – that’s the sweet spot. 4ft of SW swell, offshore winds, strong energy, and that far warmer than normal water. For a second-week standout, Friday 7 August is looking solid with the long-period groundswell and offshore wind.

Rusty.

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