
Surf Forecasts:
Barbate River surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s period, W swell with 77 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Barbate River this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Barbate River in the next 16 days are 0.9m 7s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Barbate River over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the menu for the Barbate River stretch over the next couple of weeks.
First up, the water temp is sitting around 71°, which is about average for this time of year in these parts. But I've got to be straight with you – it's a bleak outlook. The forecast is a long, dry spell of tiny, weak surf. From now right through to the end of the month, every single report is calling it "poor surf conditions." There's no way around it.
The first week is a total write-off. We're looking at waves barely cracking 0.7 ft to 1.0 ft. The combined swell energy is pitiful, sitting at just 13 (weak energy) on the 13th and never really getting going. The wind is howling out of the east at 31 mph on Sunday the 13th, which is cross-off but way too strong for any kind of enjoyable paddle. The swell direction is WNW, which isn't a bad angle for this exposed spot, but the size just isn't there.
We do get a brief moment of calm on Tuesday the 15th afternoon with glassy conditions and a southerly breeze at only 3 mph. But don't get excited – the wave is still a pathetic 0.7 ft from the WNW. You could maybe catch a ripple on a longboard, but that's it.
By Wednesday the 16th, the swell bumps up slightly to 2 ft, coming from the west, with the combined energy hitting 41 to 66 (still weak). The problem? The wind swings onshore from the SW and W, making it choppy and messy. This isn't surf, it's just wind chop.
As we move into the second week, the pattern doesn't change. From the 18th through to the 28th, we're stuck in a rut. The swell height fluctuates between 0.3 ft and 1.0 ft. The combined energy barely reaches 48 (weak) on the 21st. The swell period does get long – up to 15 or 16 seconds – which means it's a groundswell. But when the height is that tiny, all that long period does is push in some long, slow lines that won't break with any punch. The wind stays cross-off from the east, so the surface will be clean, but there's nothing to ride.
There is one small uptick around the 21st of September (Monday), where the swell is 1.0 ft from the WNW with a period of 15 seconds. The energy is 48. It's clean, but it's still only 1.0 ft. Not worth paddling out for.
Honestly, if you're desperate for a session, the only window that even vaguely qualifies is Tuesday afternoon the 15th. That glassy moment with 0.7 ft WNW swell is as good as it gets, and that's saying nothing. For the rest of the 16-day window, leave the boards at home. This is a kite-surfing setup if the wind is up, but for paddle surfing? There's nothing to work with.
This stretch is inconsistent at the best of times, and right now it's showing its true colours. Forecasts can change, but right now, the outlook is as dry as a bone.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Tue afternoon, min 22°C on Sun morning). Winds decreasing (near gales from the E on Sun morning, calm by Tue night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Fri afternoon, min 19°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | W 6 | W 8 | W 8 | W 6 | W 6 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 16 | WNW 15 | WNW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
8 | 8 | 8 | 17 | 19 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 36 | 55 | 55 | 45 | 20 | 22 | 10 | 20 | 9 | 24 | 21 | 20 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:27PM2.19m | 5:45AM2.03m | 6:03PM2.06m | 6:19AM1.92m | 6:38PM1.89m | 6:53AM1.79m | 7:15PM1.71m | 7:31AM1.64m | 7:59PM1.53m | 8:19AM1.49m | 9:00PM1.38m | 9:35AM1.38m | 10:38PM1.31m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:08AM0.04m | 11:32PM0.08m | 11:42AM0.12m | 00:03AM0.20m | 12:16PM0.24m | 00:35AM0.35m | 12:52PM0.38m | 1:09AM0.51m | 1:32PM0.54m | 1:50AM0.67m | 2:25PM0.69m | 2:50AM0.80m | 3:51PM0.80m | 4:35AM0.86m | |||||||
8:03 | — | — | 8:03 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | |
— | 8:34 | — | — | 8:32 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:28 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:24 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 30 | 27 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 27 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 25 |
Feels °C | 18 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 28 | 27 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 27 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | W 6 | W 8 | W 8 | W 6 | W 6 | WNW 11 | WNW 6 | WNW 10 | WNW 6 | WNW 16 | WNW 15 | WNW 14 |
8 | 8 | 8 | 17 | 19 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 36 | 55 | 55 | 45 | 17 | 22 | 7 | 20 | 4 | 24 | 21 | 19 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 16 | W 15 | W 13 | — | — | — | — | E 5 | — | NW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 6 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 9 | WNW 14 |
5 | 4 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 5 | 11 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 3 | 20 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 18 | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | E 4 | E 4 | E 2 | — | — | — | — | E 3 | ENE 4 | E 4 | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 |
711 | 614 | 495 | 258 | 249 | 102 | 21 | 6 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 28 | 27 | 80 | 129 | 249 | 426 | 466 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 110 | 87 | 106 | 79 | 157 | 271 | 157 | 225 | 753 | 313 | 747 | 810 | 204 | 204 | 285 | 46 | 79 | 198 | 79 | 79 | 87 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Andalucia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Spain (Europe) | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Barbate River Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Barbate River provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Barbate River can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Barbate River surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Barbate River) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Barbate River may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Barbate River is 1 km (1 miles) from Barbate de Franco. If you plan a holiday in Andalucia, look for hotels and other accommodation in Barbate de Franco. Barbate de Franco has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










