Bakio Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. The next 16 days here are a mixed bag with some decent windows, but plenty of periods where the sea just isn’t playing ball. The first good surf won’t show until the 26th of August, so we’re looking at a bit of a dry spell before that.

Overall Pattern

For the first few days, it’s pretty grim. Thursday the 20th through to Tuesday the 25th are a write-off. Small, weak swell, onshore winds, and poor conditions. The combined energy is negligible, mostly under 100 (9 to 382 range), so there’s nothing worth paddling out for. The water temp at Bakio right now is 75°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year – a solid 5° above average.

The first real glimmer comes on Wednesday morning, the 26th of August. A bit of a south wind (offshore) helping to clean things up. The swell is only 3 ft from the WNW, period 8 seconds, but the wind creates clean lines. Combined energy is still low at 149. It’s surfable, but you’d be scratching for something decent.

Thursday morning, the 27th of August, shows improvement. A clean cross-off wind from the SSW and 5 ft of NW swell (8-second period). Energy jumps to 334. The conditions are described as marginal, but the morning looks cleaner and the size is getting interesting.

The standout period really starts to shape up around Saturday the 29th of August through to Tuesday the 1st of September. Saturday morning the 29th is looking excellent. Offshore WSW wind at 6 mph, clean conditions, and 5 ft of NW swell at 9 seconds. Combined energy is 351, and the forecast is expecting good surf conditions. That’s a proper session.

Sunday the 30th of August morning is even better. Glassy conditions from the SE at 3 mph, with 4 ft of NW swell at 9 seconds. Energy is 287, and it’s described as glassy. That’s the best morning of the whole outlook for clean, user-friendly waves.

Monday the 31st of August has a morning cross-shore wind and some clouds, with 4 ft of NW swell at 8 seconds. Energy 232 – not bad, but not the absolute peak. The afternoon sees a big jump in energy to 935, but the wind turns onshore and it gets chopped up, so avoid the arvo.

The True Standout

If you’re picking one moment, it’s Tuesday the 1st of September – specifically the morning. Offshore wind from the SSW at just 3 mph, clean as a whistle. The swell is 6 ft from the NW, period 11 seconds, which is a solid groundswell with real power. Combined energy is 671, and the forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” For the Basque coast, that’s as good as it gets in this window. It’s a moderate size – not too big for most, but enough to get into a good rhythm. The direction (NW) is spot-on for Bakio’s exposure.

Crowds & Caveats

Bakio is a consistent spot and crowds are listed as “often” so expect company, especially on that glassy Sunday morning and the standout Tuesday. For Sunday the 30th, the glassy wind and clean conditions will draw a crew. On Tuesday the 1st, the quality will bring people out too, but it’s worth the paddle.

Wrap-up

The first week is slow – mostly poor conditions and low energy. From the 26th onward things improve, with the sweet spot being the 29th of August to the 1st of September. Tuesday the 1st of September morning is the best session in the whole 16-day run. Glassy, clean, solid 6 ft NW groundswell with good period. Get out there.

Rusty.

Read more