San Juan Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it. The outlook for San Juan is a real tough one to swallow. We’ve got a solid 16-day window ahead, but honestly, for the first several days, the surf is just not cooperating. The wind is relentless, blowing straight onshore from the north-northeast almost every day, and that’s trashing what could otherwise be some decent sized swell. So, we’re looking at a long, quiet stretch until we get a tiny window of hope.

The first real chance to paddle out comes up on Saturday, the 1st of August. The morning is the only time to look at it. We’ve got a 5 ft swell from the north-northeast, and the wind finally swings around to a light west-northwesterly, just 3 mph. It’s a cross-shore breeze, but it’s so light it’s just making small ripples on the surface. The water temp is about 73°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year. The combined energy is moderate (286). The swell period is a short 7 seconds, so it’s not got much push, but this is the only time the wind isn’t hammering the place. It’s a marginal call, but it’s the best we’ve got for a while. If you’re an expert surfer who knows how to milk a short-period wave, this might be worth a look. It’s a reef break, so it holds shape, but with that onshore wind all week, it’s likely still a bit bumpy. Crowds are possible here.

After Saturday morning, it’s right back to the same old story. From Sunday the 2nd right through to Wednesday the 12th of August, the wind is locked in from the north-northeast, blowing 12 to 22 mph, straight onshore. The swell builds up significantly, going from 4 ft up to a solid 8 ft, and the combined energy gets strong, hitting into the 600s, 800s, and even 900s (993) by the 10th. But here’s the kicker: with that onshore wind, it’s going to be a complete mess. Choppy, blown-out, and unsurfable. For a reef break like San Juan, that’s a recipe for a washing machine. If you’re into kiteboarding, the setup with that strong north-northeast wind and the building swell might actually look interesting. For a paddle surfer, it’s a no-go.

Overall, this is a grim run. The only real standout, if you can call it that, is the Saturday morning window. The rest of the 16 days is a write-off for decent surf. Stay patient, and maybe check the forecasts closer to the 1st, but don’t hold your breath.

Rusty.

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