Vagabundo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break it down for the imperial crew.

The outlook is a rough one, mate. Sixteen days, and the first real surf recommendation doesn’t show up until the 12th of July. There’s a big dry spell before that, so don’t rush. The first few days have some swell, but the wind is just ruining it.

The only spot in the game is Vagabundo. Water temp is about average for the season, nothing wild.

Starting Sunday the 12th, we get a 4ft swell from the NNW, but it’s a short 8-second period, and the wind is onshore at 6 to 12 mph. The energy is weak to moderate (172–210), and the surf is poor. Not worth your time. Monday the 13th and Tuesday the 14th are worse: cross-onshore wind, choppy, and the swell drops to 2ft by Tuesday afternoon. The energy is pathetic (65–169). Skip it.

From Wednesday the 15th, the swell picks up, but it’s a messy, short-period windswell from the N and NE. Wind stays cross-onshore, making it choppy. By Thursday the 16th, we’re looking at 5ft, but it’s a short 7-second period, and the wind is up to 15 mph. Energy is building (248), but quality is still poor.

The real push, if you can call it that, starts Friday the 17th. The swell holds at 6ft to 6ft from the NNE, but the period is still a weak 7-8 seconds. The wind is onshore, and the energy is moderate to strong (339–369). It’s bigger, but messy. Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th are similar: 6ft, onshore wind, poor surf. Energy stays in the 342–379 range.

The standout, if we have to pick one, is Saturday the 25th of July. The swell hits 7ft from the N, with a 7-second period. The wind is onshore at 15-18 mph, so it’s going to be blown out and heavy. The energy is strong (431–434). This is for experts only. Over 5ft is getting serious, and the short period makes it dumpy and hard to handle. Not for beginners.

Sunday the 26th is similar, with 6ft and strong energy (417–443), but again, onshore wind and short period. It’s not clean.

For the whole run, Vagabundo is a consistent spot, but it’s exposed, and the wind is almost always onshore or cross-onshore. The combination of wind and short-period swell means the waves are choppy and poor. With the swell size mostly over 5ft from the 17th on, it’s too big for beginners, and the strong winds make it more of a kite-surfing session than a surfing one.

So, bottom line: the best on offer is the 25th and 26th of July, where you get the biggest swell, but it’s a messy, blown-out mess. If you’re an expert and don’t mind the wind, you might get a few heavy drops. For everyone else, stay on the beach.

Rusty.

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