Arrieta Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Arrieta. It’s a bit of a tale of two halves really.

We’re in a dry spell right at the start, nothing worth paddling out for on Friday the 31st or Saturday the 1st of August. The swell is small and weak – the combined energy barely hitting 258 (258) on Friday morning – and the wind is a bit too strong for the size to hold up clean. The wait continues through Sunday and Monday too. The swell sticks around the 3 ft to 5 ft mark, but the period is short, just 6 to 7 seconds, so it’s all wind-slop. The wind’s a steady cross-offshore, but for a reef break that’s sheltered, it’s just not lining up. The water temperature is sitting at 73°, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year, but nothing crazy.

Things start to look a bit more interesting around Thursday the 6th of August. The swell pushes up to 7 ft from the NNE, and the combined energy climbs to 428 (428) – that’s moderate energy now. By Friday the 7th of August, it’s looking solid: 8 ft from the NNE with a period of 8 seconds, and the energy is up at 965 (965). The wind is a clean cross-offshore from the NNE. This is proper surf. However, at 8 ft, this is getting into expert-only territory, especially for a reef set-up. The period is still short, so it’ll be a bit walled-up and choppy, but for the experienced crew, there’ll be some heavy, pitching waves if you pick the right one.

Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th of August continue the trend: 8 ft to 8 ft from the NNE, with the energy staying strong between 780 (780) and 852 (852). The wind holds clean from the north. This is the best run of the whole forecast. The waves will be powerful and consistent, but again, it’s a big, raw swell. Not for the faint-hearted. The reef break will be handling it, but it’s not a beginner’s wave. Because it’s a reef, it’ll hold a better shape than a beach break, but the short period means it’ll be a bit of a handful.

The second week from Monday the 10th of August onwards, the swell backs off a touch, still hanging around 7 ft to 8 ft from the NNE, with the energy staying in the 500-600 range. The wind remains cross-offshore, so the conditions stay clean. It’s a solid, workable swell, but nothing to write home about compared to the peak of the previous weekend. The best bet in this whole 16-day window is easily Friday the 7th through Sunday the 9th of August. It’s a big, powerful, clean window. The reef is a known spot, but it’s inconsistent, so don’t expect a crowd – just a few locals who know the wave. For the rest of the time, it’s a lot of waiting.

Rusty

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