San Vicente Rivermouth Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you: the next couple of weeks are looking pretty bleak for any proper waves around San Vicente Rivermouth. We’re staring down a long stretch of tiny, weak surf, and I’m not going to sugarcoat it. The first real chance of anything decent doesn’t show up until the very end of the window, and even then, it’s a long-range call.

For the next ten days or so, it’s a flat spell. We're looking at waves mostly in the 0.6 ft to 2 ft range, with periods that are all over the shop – sometimes short and weak, sometimes a bit longer but still gutless. The energy is almost non-existent, with combined swell energy values staying mostly in the weak, two-digit range (like 25, 63, or 84). There’s a bit of a bump on the 11th morning, but it’s still only 2 ft and the conditions are just ordinary – not worth getting wet for. The wind is mostly light and cross-onshore, which doesn’t help the already poor surf. There’s a morning here and there with glassy conditions on the 10th and 11th, but the swell just isn’t there. It’s a long, frustrating stretch of nothing. The water is sitting at a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, about 73°F, which would be nice if there were anything to surf.

Then we hit the 22nd of August, a Saturday. Finally, something wakes up. The morning brings a 3 ft NW swell with a 9-second period and the energy jumps into the moderate zone (166). It’s still glassy, which is a massive plus, and the wind is light. It’s surfable, but honestly, it’s still pretty ordinary – more of a “get the dust off the board” session than a proper score. The afternoon sees the swell push to 4 ft and energy rise to 294, but the wind swings onshore and it gets messy. So, that morning is the first real option, but it’s not the standout.

The one to circle on the calendar is Sunday the 23rd of August. This is the only true standout in the whole 16-day outlook. The morning is looking promising – a 6 ft NW swell with an 11-second period, which is real groundswell energy. Combined swell energy jumps to a strong 850, and we’re talking glassy conditions with a slight air. This is where it comes together. That’s chest-to-head-high plus waves at San Vicente Rivermouth, with clean, groomed faces. The swell direction is right in the NW, which is the optimum for this spot. It’s a river mouth, so that long period works well – it’ll hold its shape. This is a proper session. The afternoon builds to 8 ft with even more energy (1171), but the wind swings onshore and it gets more challenging, plus at that size it’s getting into the territory where it’s only for the more experienced crew. But that morning window on the 23rd? That’s the one. It’s a long-range call, so don’t book the time off just yet, but it’s got real potential.

So, overall: endure the flat spell for the next week and a half, and aim everything at the morning of the 23rd. Until then, keep the board in the car just in case, but don’t get your hopes up.

Rusty.

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