Terra Mar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’ve got a long stretch ahead, and honestly, it starts off a bit flat and slow. The good news is that the swell builds nicely later on, but you’ve gotta be patient.

The first real surf worth paddling out for is at Terra Mar on Monday afternoon, July 20th. It’s a point break, and it’s fairly consistent, so it’ll be offering up some waves. The swell is a small 3ft from the SW with a very long period of 16 seconds. That long period means it’s a proper groundswell, and for a point break, that’s a beautiful thing – the waves will have shape and push. The combined energy is moderate at 594. The water temperature is a warm 74°F, and it’s 7°F warmer than usual, which is a very unusual anomaly for the time of year, so you won’t need a thick suit. The wind is a light breeze from the WSW, which is a cross-on, so it’s a little textured but not blown out. It’s a beginner spot, and it can get crowded sometimes, so expect some company.

Tuesday morning, July 21st, sees a slight bump up to 4ft from the SSW, still with that long 16-second period. The wind is onshore from the WSW, so it’s clean but not glassy. Combined energy is up to 858. The morning session is the pick of the day, as the afternoon turns choppy with a moderate cross-onshore breeze.

Wednesday, July 22nd, is a write-off. The wind is up to 16 mph from the WNW, cross-on, and the swell is a meagre 3ft. It’s choppy and poor. It’s a better day for the kite surfers with that strong wind and messy waves.

The pattern holds through to the end of July – we’re looking at marginal surf with small swells (3ft to 4ft) and mostly light onshore or cross-onshore winds. The wave energy stays moderate, and the scores are low. It’s not the time to get excited.

The standout window arrives at the very end of the forecast. Saturday, August 1st, is the real deal. The swell jumps to 7ft from the S on Saturday morning, with a period of 14 seconds. That’s a solid, powerful swell. The combined energy is a strong 1582. This is a lot of wave, and it’s getting up over 8ft in the afternoon, so this is strictly for experienced surfers only. The wind is light and onshore from the SW in the morning, shifting to a light cross-on from the WSW in the afternoon. It’s clean shape, but that size at a point will be a heavy, powerful ride. It’s a true standout for the period.

After that, it drops back down quickly. Sunday, August 2nd, is back to 4ft, and by Monday, August 3rd, it’s tiny and poor again. The very end of the forecast on Tuesday, August 4th, shows a little bump back to 5ft from the S, but it’s cross-on and only marginal.

So, the long story short: the first week is a slow grind with only small, marginal waves. Don’t get your hopes up until the last weekend of July and into August 1st. That Saturday is the one to circle on your calendar.

Stay keen,
Rusty.

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