Stela Maris Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – looking at Stela Maris over the next couple of weeks is a bit of a rough watch. This isn't one of those classic groundswell setups you dream about, and the wind is going to be a problem for the bulk of the period. We're in for a long stretch of cross-off and onshore slop before a tiny window of clean air gives us something to talk about.

For the first week, from Monday the 10th right through until Friday the 14th, it’s pretty much a write-off. We've got weak, short-period windswell from the ESE and SSE, only pushing 3 ft to 6 ft, with combined energy values that jump around a bit but are always under that nasty cross-onshore breeze. Tuesday morning and afternoon sees the swell bump to 4 ft, but it’s short period (7 seconds) and bumpy with 16 mph winds. Wednesday afternoon it gets messy with 8 ft and a fresh 22 mph wind – that’s a lumpy, blown-out scene; even for the kites, that’s more of a wrestling match than fun. Thursday and Friday morning don't look any better, with onshore winds chopping up the surface. All the surf quality scores in this stretch are just a big fat zero – it’s poor out there.

Then, finally, a little gem appears on Friday the 14th. Early morning we get a glass-off. The wind goes dead still – 3 mph from the WNW, making the water look like a mirror. Swell drops to 3 ft out of the SSE, but check the period: 12 seconds. That long-period groundswell brings proper shape and energy (367 combined), and with glassy conditions, Stela Maris will actually turn on. It's an intermediate break that is consistent, so expect some fun, clean peaks. The water is sitting at 79° which is only a tick warmer than usual for August – nice.

But like a flash in the pan, Friday afternoon the wind swings back onshore and the surf quality tanks again.

After that, Saturday the 15th through the rest of the second week is a real grind. We get more small, short-period E and SE swell with that persistent onshore or cross-on breeze. Swell sizes hover between 2 ft and 4 ft, period stays low, and the combined energy, while sometimes moderate, never gets clean wind. All the surf reports say "poor surf conditions." The only other flicker of hope comes right at the very end on Tuesday the 25th of August. Morning sees another glass-off (3 mph from the E) with a 4 ft, 7-second E swell. The energy is weak (150 combined) and it’s short period, but if you absolutely need a paddle, that flat water will make it at least surfable, albeit very ordinary.

So, the standout is clear: Friday morning, August 14th, at Stela Maris. It’s the only time the stars align for clean, rideable waves in this entire 16-day window. The rest is a waiting game.

Stay patient,
Rusty.

Read more