Surf Forecasts:
Carola surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 5s period, S swell with 34 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Carola this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Carola in the next 16 days are 0.9m 5s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 10s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (-06) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Carola over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the table for this stretch. Straight up, I'm looking at the file and it's a pretty grim picture for Carola. This is a reef break for the advanced crew, exposed to the north, and we need a clean northerly push to get it going. Unfortunately, that magic isn't happening.
Right from Tuesday the 18th, we've got a tiny 1ft swell from the north, which is the right direction, but with a cross-off wind from the southeast at 16 mph, it's just not cooperating. The combined energy is a weak 17, and despite the clean look, it's simply too small to do anything with. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing special there.
This flat spell digs in hard. From Wednesday the 19th right through to the end of the month, we're looking at a sea of zeros and tiny 0.3ft to 0.7ft pulses. The energy readings are all in the single digits or double-digit duds – never breaking 20. There's a long stretch here with no real surf to speak of. A couple of days in late August, like the 24th, show a 0.3ft northwest groundswell with a 15-second period, but with a cross wind and barely any energy (8), it's a non-event. On the 28th, we see a 0.7ft pulse from the north with a light breeze, giving us a combined energy of just 5. Not worth paddling out for.
We finally get a tickle on Saturday the 29th with a 1ft north swell and a clean, cross-off wind from the south. The energy bumps up to 17, but honestly, for a reef break, that's still whisper-thin. You'd be floating over the reef for nothing. The following Monday, the 31st, offers a similar 0.7ft pulse with clean winds, but the energy is only 4. It's the same story all the way into September.
Bottom line: there is not a single standout session in this 16-day window. Every single time slot is described as "poor surf conditions." Carola is an exposed reef, and with nothing but ankle-snappers on the charts and a persistent cross or cross-off wind pattern, it's a total bust. This blank run is just the reality for this spot right now. Forecasts can always change, but as it stands, leave the board at home.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue morning, min 23°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Fri morning, min 23°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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) | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | S 11 | S 10 | N 8 | N 9 | N 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
16 | 13 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
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 | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:19AM1.96m | 6:44PM1.76m | 7:01AM1.82m | 7:33PM1.63m | 7:49AM1.69m | 8:32PM1.52m | 8:47AM1.58m | 9:46PM1.46m | 9:58AM1.52m | 11:05PM1.48m | 11:12AM1.53m | 00:11AM1.55m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:06AM0.33m | 12:37PM0.38m | 00:47AM0.49m | 1:22PM0.50m | 1:32AM0.64m | 2:14PM0.61m | 2:28AM0.78m | 3:20PM0.68m | 3:45AM0.86m | 4:39PM0.70m | 5:13AM0.86m | 5:52PM0.65m | |||||||
— | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | |
— | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:02 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
Feels °C | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 |
465 | 305 | 293 | 183 | 118 | 116 | 575 | 644 | 588 | 407 | 334 | 300 | 254 | 151 | 149 | 330 | 218 | 176 | 125 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 7 | SW 18 | NW 8 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 12 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
16 | 13 | 11 | 4 | 12 | 2 | 75 | 38 | 104 | 208 | 272 | 206 | 236 | 184 | 223 | 99 | 323 | 295 | 390 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 8 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 18 | N 8 | N 9 | N 8 | SW 20 | SW 20 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 |
4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 62 | 48 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 62 | 60 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 69 | 69 | 63 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | S 8 | S 9 | S 10 | S 11 | SE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | — | — | — |
359 | 367 | 367 | 432 | 789 | 804 | 46 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 260 | 300 | 260 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 976 | 94 | 94 | 1018 | 1031 | 1278 | 1017 | 976 | 1261 | 976 | 94 | 1298 | 3 | 94 | 1247 | 3 | 979 | 94 | 94 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Galapagos - San Cristobal | |||||||||||||||||||
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Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Carola Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Carola provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Carola can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Carola 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 (Carola) 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 Carola 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.
Are you planning a holiday in Galapagos - San Cristobal? If you are looking for accommodation near Carola, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Galapagos - San Cristobal, consider staying in Galapagos Islands which is 2 km (1 miles) away. Other places in and around Galapagos - San Cristobal where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include San Cristobal which is 51 km (32 miles) away and Bahia de la Academia, 80 km (50 miles) away.











