Surf Forecasts:
Ajo surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 11s period, NNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 11s period, NNW swell with 523 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 10s period with NW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Ajo this week:
The surf forecast for Ajo over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Ajo in the next 16 days are 1.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ajo over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, it’s Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you: the next couple of weeks at Ajo are going to test your patience. We’ve got a long stretch of small, messy, and frankly forgettable surf ahead. The good news is there’s a proper pulse of energy building way out there, and it’s gonna be worth the wait. We’ve got a dry spell for the first two days, then a building, bumpy week, before the real deal shows up in the second week.
The first solid chance to even paddle out with some hope is Thursday the 20th. We’ll see a new northwest groundswell push in at around 4ft with an 11-second period. The energy reading is moderate, hitting 278 on the meter. The wind is cross-shore, so it’ll be a bit lumpy, but there’s enough to get a few grovelly ones. It’s not going to be pretty, but it’s a start. Friday the 21st morning looks like the pick of the first week’s offerings. The swell holds at 5ft with a clean 10-second period, and we get a light cross-offshore breeze. The energy jumps to 461, which is solid, and the wave comment is looking good. It won’t be epic, but it’s the best we’ve seen so far. Saturday the 22nd backs off a bit to 3ft and the wind goes onshore in the afternoon, so get your morning session in if you can.
Then we hit a proper lull. From Sunday the 23rd through to Wednesday the 26th, we’re looking at mainly small, weak surf with poor conditions. Lots of wind ripples, onshore breezes, and hardly any push. It’s a tough stretch. If you’re desperate, Sunday morning is glassy but only 2ft – that’s about as small as it gets. This gap runs for about four days where I wouldn't bother waxing up.
Now, for the standout. Mark your calendars for Wednesday morning, September 2nd. This is the one. A solid groundswell rolls in at 7ft with a long 12-second period, and the energy reading is huge – way up at 1659, that’s some serious power. We’re looking at excellent conditions, and it’s glassy. This is a big, clean, powerful swell. At 7ft, this is pushing it for beginners, so this is one for the experienced crew. The long period and direction from the northwest should set up well at Ajo, though with this much energy, it could be a bit of a handful. This is your window.
Before that, there’s a bit of a tease on Tuesday the 1st of September. The swell builds to 4ft with an 11-second period, energy around 375, but conditions are marginal with a cross-shore wind. It’s better than nothing, but the next morning’s session is the real prize.
The water temperature is running about average for this time of year, so nothing crazy there.
Honestly, it’s a two-week wait for one great session. But that one session on the 2nd looks like it’ll make up for a lot of the flat, blown-out days. Keep the faith, and be ready to paddle out at dawn.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 22°C on Tue afternoon, min 18°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Sat night. Warm (max 20°C on Sun afternoon, min 16°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, fresh winds from the NW by Sat afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 6 | NW 8 | N 8 | NW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 5 | NW 12 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NNW 11 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NNW 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
29 | 17 | 31 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 154 | 278 | 354 | 523 | 459 | 433 | 281 | 135 | 102 | 78 | 57 | 56 | 35 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | on | glassy | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:33PM3.49m | 8:53AM3.23m | 9:13PM3.16m | 9:34AM3.00m | 9:58PM2.85m | 10:23AM2.77m | 10:58PM2.59m | 11:34AM2.59m | 00:27AM2.45m | 1:09PM2.57m | 2:00AM2.50m | 2:28PM2.71m | 3:04AM2.68m | ||||||
Low Tide | 2:41AM0.51m | 2:58PM0.65m | 3:21AM0.81m | 3:43PM0.94m | 4:06AM1.10m | 4:39PM1.20m | 5:06AM1.34m | 5:55PM1.37m | 6:29AM1.45m | 7:28PM1.37m | 7:56AM1.38m | 8:42PM1.21m | |||||||
— | 7:20 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | |
9:15 | — | — | 9:14 | — | — | 9:12 | — | — | 9:09 | — | — | 9:08 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:06 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | 3 | 3 |
Temp °C | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 6 | NW 8 | N 8 | NW 6 | NNW 6 | NW 11 | NW 12 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NNW 11 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NNW 7 |
29 | 17 | 31 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 154 | 278 | 354 | 523 | 459 | 433 | 281 | 135 | 102 | 78 | 57 | 56 | 35 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | NNW 5 | — | NNE 5 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NNW 6 | — | — | — | NE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 4 |
15 | 8 | — | 5 | 2 | 2 | 7 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NW 8 | N 7 | NW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | ENE 3 | — | — | NNW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 3 | ENE 4 | ENE 4 | — |
— | — | 1 | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 4 | 5 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 27 | 35 | 377 | 329 | 447 | 0 | 6 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 51 | 36 | 0 | 35 | 78 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Spain - Cantabria | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Spain (Europe) | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Ajo Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Ajo provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Ajo can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Ajo surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Ajo) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Ajo may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Ajo is 19 km (12 miles) from the city of El Astillero. If you plan a holiday in Spain - Cantabria, look for hotels and other accommodation in El Astillero. El Astillero has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











