Puerto Viejo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid run of surf coming up at Puerto Viejo, starting this Saturday morning and stretching all the way into the second week of August. The water is way warmer than usual for this time of year—sitting at 71°, which is a full 9° above normal, so you can leave the thick wetsuit at home. The combined swell energy is moderate to strong throughout, ranging from 506 up to 1310 in the strong range, so there’s some real push behind these waves.

The standout window kicks off Saturday morning, 25 July, with clean 2ft SW groundswell at 18 seconds—that’s long-period energy. The wind is light and offshore from the SSW at 6 mph, which will keep the lineup glassy. This break is a beach and point setup, so that long period will wrap nicely around the point. The swell is small enough for all levels, and the crowds are often around, so expect company.

Saturday afternoon holds the same quality: clean 2ft SW swell, still offshore. Sunday morning and afternoon are similar—2ft SW, 19 seconds in the morning, still light offshore breezes. Everything stays clean through Sunday. Monday 27 July picks up a little: morning sees 3ft SW swell at 17 seconds, cross-off wind, and the energy bumps to 640. By Monday afternoon, it’s 4ft SW at 16 seconds, very good conditions, energy up to 716. Tuesday 28 July is the first real highlight—morning brings 4ft SW swell at 15 seconds, very clean with a light cross-off breeze, energy at 716. Tuesday afternoon is similar at 4ft SW, same period, and combined energy hits 755, which is the top end of moderate. This is the best of the first week.

Wednesday 29 July and Thursday 30 July keep up good form: 4ft to 4ft SW swell, still cross-off winds, and periods dropping a bit to 13–12 seconds. Friday 31 July starts to fade—3ft SW, still offshore but the energy drops to around 265, and the conditions become ordinary. Saturday 1 August is a bit of a write-off with poor surf and cross-shore winds. There’s a short gap of about a day with nothing worth recommending.

From Sunday 2 August, it picks up again. Sunday morning and afternoon see 3ft SW at 12 seconds, clean with light cross-off breeze, energy around 275. Monday 3 August is ordinary in the morning but Monday afternoon brings a nice 3ft SW at 12 seconds, genuine offshore wind from the south at 9 mph, and energy at 332. Tuesday 4 August is a mixed bag—morning is marginal, but Tuesday afternoon brings a clean 2ft SW swell with a long 15-second period and offshore wind, energy at 570.

The big swing comes in the first week of August. Wednesday 5 August afternoon is a standout: 4ft SW at 13 seconds, clean, cross-off breeze, energy at 689. Thursday 6 August gets bigger—morning is a bit messy with cross-shore wind, but Thursday afternoon kicks off strong: 5ft S swell at 9 seconds, clean offshore wind, energy at 922. This is solid intermediate-to-expert territory—5ft is a step up.

Now for the real highlight of the whole outlook: Friday 7 August. Friday morning delivers 6ft SSW swell at 10 seconds, clean cross-off breeze, and strong combined energy of 1310. This is powerful, punchy surf, well above 5ft, so it’s for experienced surfers only. Friday afternoon backs down to 4ft SSW at 14 seconds, but still very clean with offshore wind and energy at 1299. This is easily the best day of the run.

Saturday 8 August keeps it going: morning 6ft SSW at 12 seconds, cross-off wind, energy 907—another expert session. Saturday afternoon is 5ft SSW at 11 seconds, offshore breeze, energy at 873. Sunday 9 August is the tail end of the run: 5ft SSW in the morning, light cross-off, and 5ft SSW in the afternoon with offshore wind. The energy drops to around 519–730, but still very clean.

Overall, the best on offer is Friday 7 August, with that 6ft SSW swell and massive energy. Tuesday 28 July is the runner-up for the first week. If you’re not an expert, stick to the earlier days where the swell sits under 5ft—those are clean and fun for intermediates. The gap around the start of August is short, only a day or so of ordinary conditions.

Stay stoked,
Rusty

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