Arrieta Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's be straight with you – this is a frustrating forecast for Arrieta. The next couple of weeks are looking pretty bleak for a proper surf. The problem is a relentless northerly wind that just won't quit, and the swell direction is mostly coming from the NNE, which isn't the reef's best mate. The water's sitting at about 74°, which feels a touch warmer than usual for this time of year.

Right now, through the weekend and into the first part of next week, it’s a write-off. Everything is flagged as "poor surf conditions." It’s a crying shame because there’s a decent amount of size – you're looking at swell around 5 ft to 7 ft – but with the wind howling from the N and NNE at 19 to 22 mph, the wave energy is moderate but all messed up (values like 400-450). The period is short, barely hitting 8 seconds, so it's weak, wind-affected junk. Not worth paddling out for.

We get a bit of a tease mid-week next week (starting Wednesday 14th August). The swell drops slightly, to around 5 ft to 5 ft, and the wind eases up a little, but it's still mostly cross or cross-off from the north. The swell is still short period and weak. It’s still labelled as poor surf.

The best we've got in this whole outlook is a real long-shot, way out on Saturday the 22nd of August. For the morning and afternoon, we’re looking at a NNE swell pushing 6 ft, and the period stretches out a little to 8 or 9 seconds. That's still not groundswell, but it's the longest we see. The combined energy finally jumps up into the strong range, hitting 510-517. The catch? The wind is still cross from the NNE at 12-16 mph. It’s not clean, but it’s the best chance for a wave with a bit of push if you can find a corner that works.

Overall, there's a huge gap of over a week with nothing recommended. For a spot as inconsistent as this reef, that’s not surprising, but it still stings. If you're desperate, keep an eye on that Saturday the 22nd, but don't hold your breath.

Rusty.

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