Arrieta Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Arrieta over the next couple of weeks.

First up, there’s a bit of a flat spell to get through. The forecast doesn’t show any surf worth paddling out for until around the 11th of September, and even then, it’s going to be a mixed bag. The early part of the window is a write-off – strong cross-shore winds and messy, lumpy conditions are a no-go. We’re talking a solid 3 days of nothing from Tuesday the 8th right through to the end of Thursday the 10th. Just not worth it.

So, the first real chance to get wet comes on Friday the 11th. The wind swings to a cross-offshore from the north, which is a big plus – it’ll clean things up nicely. The swell is a modest 6 ft from the north-northeast. The energy is moderate (508 on the Saturday afternoon). It’s a bit of a punchy northeast groundswell, but the period is only 7–8 seconds, so it’s going to be a bit short and fat. Not classic, but it’s surfable. The water temp is a warm 75°F, which is about 2°F warmer than normal for this time of year, so it’s a little above average. You’ll get a few waves, but it’s not going to be one for the memory books.

The standout of the whole forecast kicks in on Saturday the 12th. The swell bumps up to 7 ft from the north, with a period of 8 seconds. The wind stays clean and cross-offshore from the north. The energy is strong (659 on the morning), so you’ll feel some push. The water’s still warm, and with that clean wind, the reef at Arrieta should be offering up some decent, punchy lefts. This is the best window, and it’s for the advanced crew – 7 ft is getting a bit too pushy for beginners. The crowd profile says “sometimes,” so you might have a few others out, but it’s not overrun.

After that, it’s a slow slide into mediocrity. Sunday the 13th sees a drop to 4 ft from the north, with a light northwesterly breeze. Conditions are clean, but the swell is weak (345 energy). It’s surfable, but very ordinary. The rest of the second week is a real struggle. You’re looking at tiny, weak waves from the north-northwest and northwest, with most days offering poor surf conditions. The energy drops right off, with values as low as 35 by the 23rd. The wind stays cross-shore, and the swell is too small to do much with. There’s a long period of really nothing from the 15th onwards, with only the odd morning where the wave state is “surfable but very ordinary.” It’s a real flat run.

For the long-range, there’s a tiny flicker of life on the 22nd and 23rd of September, but it’s just 3 ft and 2 ft of weak, short-period junk. Honestly, it’s a kiteboarder’s day more than a surfer’s. The setup is a bit too blown out for a proper paddle.

So, to sum it up: the best bet is Saturday the 12th at Arrieta. That’s your window. It’s clean, it’s got some push, and the wind is right. Everything else is a write-off or just not worth the drive. The early season can be like this, but it won’t stay poor forever.

Rusty.

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