Rosarito Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Gather 'round, crew. Let's talk about the next couple of weeks at Rosarito. I'm not gonna lie to you, it's a tough stretch. We've got a constant feed of swell, but the wind's got it all messy for the most part. The first week is a real write-off, with persistent cross-onshore winds and choppy conditions making it feel like a waste of time. We're looking at a big gap of poor surf from Sunday the 16th right through to the middle of the following week. Water temp’s sitting at a toasty 71°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least you won't be cold while you're getting frustrated.

The first faint glimmer of hope shows up on Thursday morning, the 20th of August. The wind finally swings onshore, light, and the swell drops a little to 3 ft from the SSW with a period of 14 seconds. The energy is moderate (321), but the report calls it marginal. It’s small and cleanish, but you'd be scratching for a wave. Friday the 21st morning is similar, 2 ft SSW, period 13 seconds (216 combined energy), with light onshore wind. Not great, but it's the closest to surfable we've been.

Saturday the 22nd morning is the biggest tease. Swell from the SW at 1 ft with a very long period of 18 seconds. That long period (268 combined energy) could wrap nicely around a rivermouth or reef, and with light onshore wind it might be glassy and clean, but that tiny swell height means you need a really sensitive break to work.

From Thursday the 20th through to Tuesday the 25th, the mornings offer some marginal conditions with light onshore winds and small, long-period SW and SSW swell. It's not a total zero, but it's definitely a "check the cam and be ready to be disappointed" scenario. After that, we go back into a run of poor conditions through the end of August.

The last real shout comes on Saturday the 29th of August. Both morning and afternoon show 3 ft of SW swell, period 16 seconds, with light wind. The combined energy jumps to a solid 558 in the morning, the highest reading in the whole forecast. The wind is light and cross-onshore, so there'll be some texture on the surface, but it's the best-looking swell we've got. That said, the report calls it marginal, so manage expectations.

If you’re desperate and you've got a log, maybe Thursday the 20th or Friday the 21st might give you a few knee-high rollers, but honestly, for the next two weeks, the setup at Rosarito looks more interesting for a kite than a paddle. There’s not a single standout day. Keep an eye on the 29th, but don't book the time off yet.

Rusty

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