Rancho Santini Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks at Rancho Santini.

First thing you gotta know: it’s looking pretty quiet out there for a stretch. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing weird going on. For the first several days, the swell is small and the conditions are just not clicking. The wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore, and the wave quality is poor to marginal. The combined swell energy sits between 441 and 834 (moderate energy) but it’s not translating into anything rideable. The waves are around 3ft to 4ft and from the SSW or SW, with a long period around 14 to 16 seconds – that’s groundswell. But with the wind messing it up, you’re better off doing something else.

Now, there’s a big gap with no good surf. The first real glimmer comes on Friday the 17th of July. In the afternoon, the wind goes glassy – light offshore from the SW at 3 mph – and the conditions are described as glassy. That’s a standout moment. The swell is 2ft from the SW with a 14-second period, and the combined energy is 350 (weak energy). It’s tiny, but clean. If you’re a beginner or just want a longboard glide, that Friday arvo is your window. However, the swell direction is SW and the optimum is W, so it’s not perfectly aligned – still, with glassy conditions, it’s the best on offer.

After that, the following days (Saturday the 18th through Sunday the 19th) see a bit more energy in the water – the combined swell energy climbs back into the 600s and 700s (moderate energy) with 2ft to 3ft SW swells and 17-second periods. The wind is cross-onshore or light onshore, and the surf is still marginal. It’s not worth paddling out unless you’re desperate.

Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st look poor again, with moderate onshore winds (12 to 16 mph) and choppy, messy surf. The swell holds around 3ft to 3ft but it’s blown out. Not the time.

Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd are more of the same: small, onshore, and not doing much. The combined energy drops back to 252 to 382 (weak to moderate). There’s just no consistent, clean swell coming through.

So, to wrap it up: the best surf in this 16-day window is that glassy Friday afternoon on the 17th of July. It’s small but clean – perfect for a beginner or a fun session on a foamie. Everything else is either blown out or too marginal. Keep an eye on the forecasts, because it can change quickly, but right now it’s a quiet run.

Rusty.

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