Conditions at Santa Cruz in August
August: Fading Summer, Same Story
August remains in the heart of the low season, with average swell height 4.6ft (1.4m) and period 8.9s. The directional mix is similar to July - NNW leads at 50.7%, NW at 35.1%, WNW at 10.2% and W at just 1.5% - meaning the beach is still getting the right direction but with limited size and power. The wave heights are concentrated in the 3.3-6.6ft (1-2m) range, with plenty of clean but soft, summery lines.
Ideal wind remains scarce at 5%. NNW winds blow 50.9% and N winds 18.8% of the time, so choppy, onshore conditions are the norm through the afternoon. Air temperatures peak for the year at 20.7°C on average (min 14.2°C, max 36.3°C), precipitation is 0.25 mm/day and water temperature is 17.7°C. As the month progresses, the first hints of Atlantic storminess can appear, but for now patience and dawn alarms are required.
Average Spot conditions at Santa Cruz in August
Swell history for August
Wind history for August
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Santa Cruz during August. Based on historical data, there is a % probability of groundswell occurring this month. The chart below provides a detailed breakdown of the average wave height distribution, offering deep insights into the swell quality and surf potential you can expect at Santa Cruz for your next trip in August.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Santa Cruz for August. Our analysis shows that favorable offshore or side-shore winds coincide with surfable swell approximately % of the time. The accompanying graph illustrates the average size distribution of waves during these optimal wind windows at Santa Cruz.