Arrieta Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks. Rusty here. Let’s get into it.

Well, I gotta be straight with you – this is a tough one. For the next week and a half, Arrieta is just not playing ball. The entire first week is a write-off thanks to onshore and cross-shore winds, with the swell all over the shop. The first solid window of opportunity doesn't show up until Tuesday the 21st of July, and even then, it’s only a short-lived chance.

For the first several days, from Sunday the 12th through Thursday the 17th, the wind is a constant problem at Arrieta. It’s mostly cross or cross-off from the north-northeast, and the wave energy is low to moderate (mostly between 67 and 413). The swell is short-period, too, around 5 to 8 seconds, so it’s a messy, weak, and choppy affair. Not worth paddling out.

The one bright spot, and I mean the only real standout in this whole 16-day outlook, is a brief window on Tuesday the 21st of July and into Wednesday the 22nd. The swell drops a notch from the preceding days, to around 6 ft to 6 ft, but it’s from the north with a period of 9 to 10 seconds – that’s a decent groundswell, with more shape and energy. The combined energy (around 553 to 608) is moderate. But the real magic is the wind: we get a clean, light offshore from the northwest and west-northwest with speeds of 6 to 9 mph. That’s glassy, clean conditions. The water is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 73°F.

Now, a couple of caveats. Arrieta is a reef break, and it’s inconsistent – it doesn’t always fire. When it does, it can get crowded, so be prepared for that. This setup is a classic point-break-friendly swell: that north swell with a longer period will wrap in nicely, offering some good lines. For a couple of days, it’ll be the best on offer, but it’s not a long window.

The rest of the run after that gets messy again. From Wednesday the 23rd right through to Monday the 27th, the wind picks up to a fresh 16-22 mph from the north, creating lumpy cross-chop and making things difficult. The swell stays around 4 ft to 5 ft, but it’s just not clean. There’s a gap of several days with no recommendations before the 21st, and then again after the 22nd.

So, the short version: if you’re a local, keep your eyes on Tuesday the 21st and Wednesday the 22nd of July. That’s the only real chance for a clean, fun session. Otherwise, it’s a long wait.

Rusty.

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