Salinas Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for Salinas over the next couple of weeks.

First off, the water temp is sitting about average for the time of year, so nothing wild there. Now, the bad news first: we’ve got a real slow start. Monday through Wednesday next week is basically a write-off – tiny, weak, short-period slop with poor conditions. The combined energy barely cracks 72, it’s just not worth paddling out for. You’re looking at a gap of nearly three days with no real recommendations.

The first flicker of hope shows up on Thursday, 27 August morning. We get a little bump in the swell to 4ft from the WNW, period around 9 seconds, and the wind is light and cross-offshore from the south. That cleans it right up. The combined energy hits 228 – moderate. It’s not a world-beater, but it’s the first rideable stuff we’ve seen. The afternoon stays clean but drops off a touch.

Friday, 28 August is a bit of a mixed bag. The swell jumps up to 7ft in the morning from the WNW with a longer 11-second period, and the energy is solid (1283). But the wind is a cross-shore 16 mph, putting a bit of a chop on it. This is more advanced territory – that 7ft+ is getting too big for beginners. The afternoon gets worse with cross-onshore wind. If you’re looking for a paddle, the morning is the only window.

Now, the real standout. Saturday, 29 August morning is where it’s at. The swell holds at 5ft from the NW with a 9-second period, but the wind is dead calm – glassy. The combined energy is 402. That’s clean, lined-up surf for confident intermediates. The morning is the pick of the weekend. The afternoon gets a cross-shore breeze, so don’t sleep in.

Sunday, 30 August, drops back down to 3ft, glassy in the morning, but it’s pretty weak. The real promise starts to build again into the next week.

Monday, 1 September offers a solid option. The swell is 5ft from the NW, period 9 seconds, and the wind is cross-offshore from the ENE, keeping it clean. Energy is 300. That’s a good, consistent day for a longer session.

We then have another gap of poor conditions through Wednesday and Thursday, with the wind onshore or cross-onshore.

Saturday, 6 September morning is another glassy one, with a 5ft NW swell and a solid 11-second period. Energy is 493. That’s a groundswell, and it’ll have some punch. Good for a reef or point, though at a beach break it might wall up a bit.

But the absolute best on offer is Monday, 7 September morning. We get a 3ft WNW swell, but the period is 10 seconds and the energy is 523. The wind is light and glassy from the ESE. That’s prime conditions for a long, clean session. The afternoon sees the swell jump to 6ft with a 11-second period and energy over 1000, but it’s a bit cross-shore.

Then, for the experts only, Tuesday, 8 September morning is a beast. A 8ft NW groundswell with a massive 16-second period, and glassy offshore winds. The combined energy is 4311 – that’s strong, powerful energy. This is for experienced surfers only. The long period means it will be sucking hard at the reefs and points, but could be a bit too straight and closed out at the beach. Still, if you’ve got the skills, that’s the session of the forecast.

So, if you’re planning ahead, lock in Saturday 29 August morning for the best all-rounder, and keep an eye on that Monday 7 September morning for a real treat. The long-range stuff on 8 September looks promising, but we’ll have to see how it firms up.

Rusty.

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