Arrieta Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the Arrieta region over the next 16 days. I’ll be straight with you – this forecast is a tough one to swallow.

The biggest problem is the wind. We have a persistent, strong northerly and north-northeasterly airflow that is just ruining the surface. Arrieta is a sheltered reef break that really wants a nice west-northwest offshore to clean up, and we’re not getting that. Instead, we’ve got cross-offshore and cross-shore winds blowing at 15 to 25 mph for most of the period. This is creating lumpy, choppy, and generally poor surf conditions across the board. The swell is actually there, but it’s being blown to bits.

The water temperature is sitting at 73°F, which is about normal for the time of year, so nothing strange there.

The first week is a write-off. From Sunday, August 2nd, right through Saturday, August 8th, the surf is on offer but the conditions are consistently rated as poor. The swell is mostly from the NNE, around 4ft to 7ft, with a short period of 6 to 8 seconds. The combined energy is moderate, ranging from 189 to 704 (moderate to strong), but this is meaningless because the wind is just too strong. You’ll be fighting a 19 mph breeze and a messy surface. Thursday morning, August 6th, sees the biggest swell at 8ft, but with a 25 mph north wind, it’s a total washout. This is one of those times where the setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

The second week doesn’t improve much. From Sunday, August 9th, to Monday, August 17th, the wind remains a problem. The swell drops a little, from 6ft down to 4ft, and the period finally stretches to 9 seconds on the 15th and 16th, which is a better sign for wave shape. The combined energy stays moderate (between 246 and 618). However, the wind is still either cross or cross-off from the north, so the surface is always compromised. The best looking day is probably Saturday afternoon, August 15th, and Sunday, August 16th, with a 4ft to 5ft, 9-second swell from the north and a lighter 12 mph cross-off wind. It’s still not classic Arrieta, but it’s the cleanest we’ll see. Monday, August 17th, is the smallest of the lot.

So, the honest truth: there are no standouts in this 16-day window. The swell is consistent, but the wind is relentless. It’s a blank run for quality surf. Don’t hold your breath; forecasts can change, but as it stands, this is a waiting game.

Rusty.

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