Salsa Brava Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at the next 16 days.

The opening window is a bit of a write-off for quality surf. We’ve got some swell, but the wind is all over the shop, mostly cross or onshore, and the wave energy is weak to moderate. The first real standout doesn’t show up until Sunday the 23rd, and that’s where you’ll want to be. The best window sits right around that Sunday morning, with a glassy session on offer.

Salsa Brava is the only game in town, and it’s a heavy, advanced reef break. It’s consistent, so it’ll be breaking, but for most of the first week, the wind is a nightmare. From Wednesday the 19th right through Saturday the 22nd, it’s all cross-onshore or onshore wind, with a risk of thunderstorms. The swell hangs around 5 ft - 6 ft from the NE/ENE, with a period of 8-9 seconds. The energy is moderate, hitting around 370 (Saturday morning) to 430 (Saturday afternoon), but the chop and onshore wind make it ugly. The water temp is about average for the time of year.

Now, Sunday morning the 23rd is the one. The swell bumps up to 6 ft from the ENE, still with a 9-second period, and the energy jumps to 519 (moderate-to-strong). But the wind goes glassy – dead calm. That’s going to be clean, rippable, and well-shaped for the experts. The afternoon turns onshore, so get in early. Crowds are likely here, as it’s a well-known spot.

Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th are a step back, with the wind turning onshore and cross-onshore again, energy dropping to 362-469. Not worth it.

Wednesday morning the 26th offers a bit of a reprieve – a light cross-offshore wind from the WSW, with 5 ft NE swell, 9 second period, and energy of 414. The report says "clean," so it’s a solid option for the advanced crew, even if the energy is only moderate.

The 27th sees the swell peak at 7 ft - 7 ft (ENE/NE, 9-10 second period), with energy hitting 750-760 (strong). That’s big, powerful, and dangerous for a reef. That’s expert-only territory. The wind is cross-onshore in the morning and onshore in the afternoon, so it’s not the cleanest, but the power is real.

Friday the 28th morning is a last little gem – glassy again, with 5 ft ENE swell, 9 second period, and energy of 284 (weak). Small, clean, and fun, but not a standout.

After that, from the 29th of August into the first week of September, the swell drops off. Heights fall to 3 ft - 4 ft, energy drops below 200, and the wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore. The 31st morning has glassy conditions but only 3 ft swell and energy of 114 (weak). It’s surfable but very ordinary. The 3rd of September morning shows a glimmer of hope with a glassy 5 ft, 9-second swell and energy of 316 (moderate), which is promising but a long way out, so keep an eye on that.

The standout pick: Sunday morning, 23rd of August. Salsa Brava. 6 ft ENE swell, 9-second period, and glassy conditions. It’s a reef, it’s advanced, and it’s likely crowded, but that’s the cleanest, best-shaped window of the whole run.
Rusty.

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