Arrieta Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's coming our way for Arrieta, that sheltered little reef set-up. It's a tricky stretch ahead, so let's be honest about it right off the bat.

Right now and for the first few days, it's a bit of a write-off. We've got a solid NNW swell pushing in around 6 ft on Monday the 24th, with moderate wave energy (929), but that NNE wind is howling cross-shore, creating a nasty cross-chop. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual there, but it's not going to make the poor conditions any more inviting. Monday and Tuesday are a no-go for a proper surf. The swell drops a little by mid-week, but the wind stays messy, only cleaning up slightly on Tuesday afternoon with a cross-off breeze. There's a real gap of several days here with absolutely no recommendations, nothing but 'poor surf conditions' in the forecast.

Honestly, the only time things start looking interesting is right at the tail end, on Tuesday the 8th of September. That morning, we finally see some light winds, a gentle breeze swinging offshore, and a clean 4 ft groundswell from the north with a solid 9-second period. The combined energy is still moderate at 463, but the stars finally align. This is the standout window, the only time in the whole 16-day stretch where the conditions look good enough to paddle out. For a spot that’s inconsistent and tricky to catch right, this is a promising but late-breaking opportunity. It’s a long way off, so treat it as a potential gem, but don't book the week off work yet.

The rest of the first week goes from bad to just plain messy. That swell builds again, hitting 8 ft and over 8 ft towards the end of the month, but the wind is howling onshore or strong cross-shore – too big for beginners, and not clean for anyone else. That surge around the 29th of August (1700 combined energy) is a beast, but it'll be a washing machine. By the time we hit the start of September, the swell is solidly in the 10 ft to 12 ft range, pushing north-east energy straight into the shore, but again, the wind is a problem. That combination of big, powerful waves and cross-off winds might make it look tempting, but for a sheltered reef, it's more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddle session. It's just too raw.

So, the honest truth: Arrieta is a no-go for the next couple of weeks. There's a massive gap with no real surf on offer. Keep an eye on that Tuesday the 8th of September. If the forecast holds, we might just get a clean, fun window at the very end. Until then, leave the board in the car.

Rusty.

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