Arrieta Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Hey folks, Rusty here. Let me be straight with you – this Arrieta forecast is a tough one to read. For a spot that’s a sheltered reef and needs the right angle, the next couple of weeks look mostly like a write-off for any decent paddle surfing.

The first surf we can even talk about doesn’t show up until the 13th of September, so we’re looking at a solid 11-day gap of nothing but poor surf conditions and fresh cross-shore winds. For the first few days, the ocean is messy with lumpy chop and not a single rideable wave in sight. It’s just one of those stretches where the ocean is ugly.

Finally, on Sunday the 13th, things get a little interesting. The morning brings a small 4ft swell from the NNE with a short period of 6 seconds, but the wind goes light offshore from the NW. That’s a big positive because this reef will clean right up. Then the afternoon gets proper weird – a 2ft swell from the NNW, but with a period jumping to a very long 16 seconds. That’s a groundswell with serious energy (372 in the combined swell energy), but for a beach break that’d be tricky. Since Arrieta is a reef, and the wind is offshore from the WNW, those long lines might actually wrap in nicely. It’s not big, but it’s clean and the wave quality should be way better than what we’ve seen. This is the standout of the whole outlook.

The Monday the 14th is probably the pick for a relaxed session. Swell drops to about 3ft from the NNW, still with that long 12-second period, but the wind goes completely glassy in the morning and stays calm in the afternoon. That’s about as perfect as conditions get for a small wave – just you and the ocean. Water temp is sitting at 75°, which is a touch warmer than normal for the time of year, so you won’t need a thick suit.

Beyond that, the 15th and 16th are back to messy cross-shore winds or small, poor-quality waves. There’s a bit of energy on the 16th morning (691 in combined swell energy), but with a stiff cross-breeze it’s just not going to be any good for a surfer. Honestly, if you’re desperate for a wave, focus on that Sunday afternoon through Monday window. Even then, keep expectations low – it’s inconsistent and rarely breaks properly here, so when it does line up, it’s a treat, but don’t bet the farm on it.

Rusty.

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