San Juan Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve gotta be straight with you—this outlook for San Juan is a tough one to write. We’ve got a long dry spell ahead, so don’t be rushing to grab your board just yet.

For the first several days, from Tuesday the 18th right through to Friday the 21st of August, it’s basically flat. The combined swell energy is sitting at zero or barely a whisper (6 to 21), with wave heights scraping in at 0.2ft to 1.0ft at best. That’s not surf, that’s a lake. Winds are mostly cross-off or offshore, but with no swell to work with, it’s all tease and no payoff. Water temp is sitting at a warm 85°, which is about average for this time of year, but you’ll be floating more than surfing.

Now, the first real pulse shows up on Saturday the 22nd of August. The morning brings a 8ft swell from the west, with a period of 10 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to a solid 1090. That’s moderate-to-strong energy, so there’s some grunt behind it. But here’s the catch—the wind is cross-off from the SSW at 12 mph, and it’s a reef break that’s inconsistent and only fairly exposed. The waves will be there, but the conditions are described as marginal with questionable tide, so it’s not a slam dunk. By the afternoon, the swell drops to 3ft (energy 201) and it’s described as very ordinary. For the experienced surfer, the morning window might offer a few meaty ones, but beginners should steer clear—that 8ft is too big for a learner, especially at a reef.

After that, we fall back into a slump. From Sunday the 23rd of August through to the end of the month, the swell fizzles out again—0.7ft to 3ft, with energy mostly below 100. Winds stay cross-off or cross, but it’s just not enough wave to get excited about. The next notable bump comes on Friday the 28th of August in the afternoon, with another 8ft west swell and energy of 1079. Same story as the 22nd—marginal conditions, cross-off wind, and that reef break being inconsistent. It’s a repeat performance, not a standout.

Into the first week of September, from the 1st to the 2nd, it’s back to near-flat with tiny 0.7ft to 1.0ft swells from the NNE and energy barely cracking 50. Winds are light and variable, but again, no push.

If I had to pick the best of a bad bunch, it’d be Saturday the 22nd of August morning. That 8ft west swell with offshore-angled wind is your only real shot at a wave, but it’s for experts only, and the inconsistent nature of the break means you’ll be waiting for sets. Don’t expect much company—crowds are only “sometimes” an issue here, and on a day like that, most will be watching.

Honestly, the first week and a half is a write-off. Hang tight, and remember—forecasts can change.

Rusty.

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