Arrieta Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it. The next couple of weeks are looking like a bit of a grind for Arrieta. We’ve got swell, sure, but it’s coming from the wrong direction and the wind is just not playing ball. This is a spot that loves a clean offshore, but we’re stuck with a stiff northerly breeze that’s blowing cross-off or worse, straight cross-shore, most of the time. It’s a real shame because the water temperature is about average for this time of year, so that’s not the issue.

The pattern starts Friday morning, August 7th, with a 5.6 ft swell from the NNE at a short, punchy 7 seconds. The combined energy is moderate at 430, but the wind is a 16 mph cross-off, which is keeping the surface clean but the wave quality is just poor. The swell keeps bumping up and down, hovering between 4.9 ft and 6.6 ft through the weekend and into the next week, all from that same unfavourable NNE direction. The period stays short, mostly between 6 and 8 seconds, meaning it’s just wind-slop without much power. The energy readings stay in the moderate range, hitting a high of 468 on Saturday morning, August 8th, but it’s all for nothing with the wind.

We hit a real low point around Tuesday, August 11th, when the wind swings fully cross-shore at 22 mph, adding a lumpy cross-chop to the mix. The swell drops a little, but the conditions are just messy. This continues for days. The swell does eventually shift to a more northerly direction around August 19th, and the period stretches out to a slightly better 9 seconds, but the wind is still a problem. The energy spikes to 501 on the afternoon of August 20th, which is the strongest it gets, but it’s still not the right angle for this break.

The only glimmer of hope is the very end of the run. On Friday morning, August 21st, the wind finally drops to a manageable 12 mph, still cross-off but lighter. The swell is 5.2 ft from the north at 9 seconds, and the energy is at 440. The forecast even gives it a “1” for marginal surf, which is the best we’ll see. That’s your best window, but it’s not a standout. It’s a long wait for a barely-passable session.

Overall, this is a tough stretch. For a reef break that’s inconsistent and sheltered, we need the stars to align, and right now, they just aren’t. The wind is too strong, and the swell is from the wrong direction. It’s a blank run of over two weeks where I wouldn’t bother paddling out. Forecasts can change, but for now, I’d save the wax.

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