Barbate River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, listen up. This is Rusty, and I’ve been staring at the charts for the Barbate River area. I’ve got to be straight with you – the next couple of weeks are looking pretty grim for a proper paddle. We're talking about a long stretch of tiny, weak waves and shifty wind.

The whole 16-day window is a bit of a write-off for decent surf. There’s a big gap from now until the 8th of August where the forecast is “poor surf conditions” day after day. The swell is just a dribble, mostly under 3ft, and the combined energy is weak, often in the single digits or low double digits. The wind is usually a cross-off or cross-on, which just messes up what little shape there is.

The water is going to feel pretty cold too, at 69°F, which is a solid 4°F *much colder* than normal for this time of year. You’ll want a thicker suit.

Friday afternoon, the 31st of July, will be glassy with a 2ft swell from the WNW, but the energy is still tiny. It’s a moment of calm, but not much to ride.

The closest thing to a standout is the morning of Saturday the 8th of August. For a brief moment, we get a bit more life. The swell picks up to 4ft from the west, with a period of 7 seconds, and the combined energy finally climbs into the moderate range. The wind goes glassy, so conditions will be clean. It’s described as “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions,” which is the best we’re going to get. Keep in mind, this is an inconsistent river mouth break, so it’s a gamble even when it’s good. The crowd levels are listed as “sometimes,” so you might have it to yourself, but it’s a long shot for a proper wave.

For the rest of the time, the swell is just too small and weak. The wind is often onshore or cross-onshore, making things choppy. Honestly, a setup like this, with the small swell and wind, looks more interesting for a kite surfer than a surfer with a paddle.

That’s the ugly truth from the desk. Keep your eyes on the long-range, but don’t hold your breath.

Rusty.

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