El Olon de Ilo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Well, it’s a bit of a mixed bag over the next couple of weeks for the El Olon de Ilo region. There’s definitely some fun, clean waves on the cards, especially if you can pick your days. This is an inconsistent reef break for advanced surfers only, so don’t expect it to be working all the time – when it’s on, it’s on.

First up, the standout window is this Thursday the 10th and Sunday the 13th. On Thursday morning, the swell is coming in from the SW at 4ft, with a long period of 15 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy. The water temp is about average for the time of year here, so no surprises there. Winds are light and cross-off from the south at just 6 mph, keeping it clean. The combined energy is a solid 619 (moderate), and it feels like one of those sessions where everything lines up. The swell direction is spot on for this exposed reef, so expect well-shaped waves. Thursday afternoon holds similar conditions with a 4ft SW swell and a 14-second period, still clean. No crowds are ever a worry here, so you’ll have it to yourself.

By Friday the 11th, the swell drops to 3ft, still SW but with a 13-second period. Winds pick up a bit to 9 mph, but still cross-off, so it stays clean. The energy drops to 428. It’s still good, but not as punchy as Thursday. Saturday the 12th is smaller again at 3ft, with a 12-second period. Still clean, but the wave size is backing off.

Then comes Sunday the 13th – another highlight. The swell bumps back up to 5ft from the SSW, with an 11-second period. Winds are lighter again, 9 mph cross-off in the morning keeping it glassy. The energy is 508, and it’s going to feel fuller and more powerful than the smaller days. There’s a solid few hours of clean, decent waves.

Monday the 14th serves up a real treat in the morning: a 3ft SW swell with a very long period of 18 seconds. That’s classic groundswell – the energy is 644, and the waves will be super clean with the consistent light breeze. The afternoon gets a bit tricky with cross-shore wind and ripples, so the morning is your move.

From Tuesday the 15th right through to about the 16th, the wind goes light cross-shore, and the conditions are described as marginal with small wind ripples. The swell hangs around 3ft to 4ft from the SW with periods dropping into the 13-second range, but it’s not as clean. The energy stays moderate (506 to 774), but the texture on the surface isn’t ideal. Not a write-off, but not the best.

From the 17th of September into the third week, the swell settles into a rhythm of 2ft to 4ft from the SW and SSW, with periods varying from 8 to 13 seconds. The wind lightens up, with some glassy windows on Friday afternoon the 18th and Monday afternoon the 21st. Those glassy moments are worth keeping an eye on – consistent cross-off or glassy winds make this spot come alive. The energy is in the 200 to 400 range, so it’s not pumping, but for a clean, uncrowded reef, it’ll be fun.

Right at the end of the forecast, on Friday the 25th, there’s a morning of 3ft SW swell with a very long 19-second period and an energy of 659, but it’s flagged as marginal with light cross-shore ripples. Still, a long-period groundswell on this reef could be something special if the tide lines up – it’s a promising but uncertain one to pencil in.

Overall, the best bet is the first weekend: Thursday the 10th and Sunday the 13th. Clean, moderate energy, and no one else out. Don’t sleep on those glassy afternoons later in the run either.

Rusty.

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