Arrieta Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here, and I’m gonna level with you. The surf scene at Arrieta for the next couple of weeks is mostly a bummer.

This is a sheltered reef that doesn’t fire often, and the combined swell energy is fair to beefy—numbers like 931, 790, and 446 early on—but the wind’s been a problem. The water’s at 76°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least the wetsuit can be thin.

From Monday the 24th through Saturday the 29th, forget it. Swell’s there, but the cross-shore winds are howling at 15–25 mph, and the surf quality is just poor. Even when the swell hits 8 ft on the 28th and 29th, the wind’s ripping at 22–25 mph, making it a lumpy mess.

Sunday the 30th and Monday the 31st clean up a little—cross-off winds and clean conditions with swell around 5 ft, but the period drops to 7 seconds. That’s short-period junk, not much push. Combined energy is in the 200s. Could be a quick paddle if you’re bored.

Then from Tuesday the 1st of September through Saturday the 5th, it gets rough again. Swell builds to 8 ft, but the wind stays fresh to strong, and the quality is poor. Combined energy hits 757 on the 2nd, but it’s messy. Honestly, this setup is more interesting for kite surfing than a real paddle session.

Sunday the 6th finally gives a hint of hope. Swell holds around 7 ft, the wind eases to a moderate breeze, and the comment improves to “marginal.” The combined energy is big—1069 to 1229—so there’s power, but still cross-shore chop.

The one to circle? Monday the 7th of September. The morning shows clean cross-off wind, only 9 mph, and the swell is a sweet 5 ft at 19 seconds from the NW. That’s very long-period groundswell with a combined energy of 2196—that’s proper juice. This reef loves that angle, and the long period will produce clean, powerful waves. It’s an inconsistent break, so you might wait, but this is the clear highlight. The afternoon stays good at 5 ft and 17 seconds, but the wind swings cross-shore again.

Tuesday the 8th backs off: 4 ft at 13 seconds, energy around 857–1081. Clean enough, but not the same glory.

So, a long dry spell, then a prime window on the 7th. If you can pick that Monday, that’s the one.

Rusty.

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