Surf Forecasts:
Carola surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 0.5ft (0.2m), 9s period, NNW swell with 8 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Carola this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Carola in the next 16 days are 0.2m 9s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore 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 9AM.
| Wave Type | Time (-06) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 0.5ft (0.2m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Carola over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, listen up. It’s Rusty here, and I’ve got to be straight with you. The surf outlook for this stretch is looking pretty grim for a good while. We’re staring down a long, flat spell, so if you’re Jonesing for a wave, you might want to find something else to do for the next week and a half or so.
The only spot with any real potential in this window is Carola, a reef break that’s pretty much an expert’s game. It’s exposed to the north, and it’s one of those spots that needs a particular angle to show its stuff. Right now, we’ve got nothing but tiny, short-period leftovers, and it’s not looking good.
The water here is running at a balmy 78°, which is a solid 8° warmer than usual for this time of year. That’s not just a little warm, that’s a full-on marine heatwave, and it’s going to make the air feel thick and the water feel like a bath.
From Tuesday the 18th through to the 28th, the story is same old, same old. We’re looking at flatness or ankle-biters at best. There’s a weak bit of north energy pushing in, but it’s got a short period of 8 seconds and the swell heights are barely registering – we’re talking 0.3ft to 1ft. The combined energy of all swells directed here is pitiful, mostly single digits and low teens. It’s just a lot of nothing. Don’t even bother checking the cam.
Then, around Friday the 28th, things get slightly interesting. There’s a pulse of NNW swell showing up, and the period jumps to 11 seconds, which is a sign of a more distant, more powerful groundswell. We’re still only looking at 0.7ft of swell, and the energy is still low – around 11 or 12 in the combined reading. But, that longer period is a step in the right direction. The wind is still a cross-off shore, so it could be clean, but with that little swell, it’ll still be a struggle. Saturday the 29th keeps that similar energy but it’s still very small.
Then it flatlines again until the very end of the window. On Monday the 31st of August, there’s a blip of south swell with a super short 4-second period and a 2ft swell. That’s just wind chop, not surf. It’s going to be a mess. The energy reading is a little higher, at 16, but it’s all that short, messy wind-swell.
So, what’s the call? There is no standout. There are no epic days on the horizon. This is a long, dry spell for Carola. The setup looks more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer for most of this period, to be honest.
If you’re a beginner, stay home. There’s nothing for you. If you’re an expert and you’re just desperate, maybe those mornings on the 28th and 29th with the longer-period NNW swell could offer a few micro-sessions, but don’t get your hopes up. It’s a waiting game. Things can change, but right now, the ocean is on a coffee break.
This is Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue afternoon, min 24°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Fri afternoon, min 23°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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) | N 8 | N 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | S 11 | S 10 | N 8 | SSE 10 | N 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | N 8 | SW 18 | N 6 | N 6 | SW 16 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
11 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 4 | |
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 | 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 | 6:44PM1.76m | 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 | 12:14PM1.59m | 1:01AM1.66m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 6:23AM0.79m | 6:46PM0.56m | ||||||||
— | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | |
6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:02 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 |
Feels °C | 25 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 9 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSW 13 | SSE 9 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SSE 8 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
367 | 432 | 138 | 114 | 577 | 562 | 588 | 463 | 334 | 300 | 254 | 222 | 149 | 218 | 323 | 295 | 125 | 208 | 255 | 181 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | NW 8 | SE 7 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 18 | SW 18 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 16 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 |
293 | 229 | 12 | 2 | 46 | 37 | 104 | 208 | 272 | 208 | 236 | 151 | 223 | 330 | 69 | 56 | 390 | 47 | 47 | 44 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | N 7 | NW 8 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | SW 18 | N 8 | SW 21 | N 8 | SW 20 | SW 20 | SW 19 | N 8 | SSW 12 | N 6 | N 6 | SSW 11 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 |
11 | 4 | 3 | 12 | 58 | 48 | 1 | 18 | 5 | 62 | 60 | 184 | 5 | 99 | 1 | 1 | 49 | 5 | 5 | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 10 | S 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 4 | SSE 9 | — | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | — | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 |
— | — | 789 | 815 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 274 | — | 213 | 172 | — | 119 | 92 | 96 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 94 | 94 | 1035 | 1250 | 3 | 976 | 1250 | 3 | 3 | 1293 | 3 | 976 | 94 | 3 | 1015 | 94 | 3 | 3 | 1300 | 976 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Galapagos - San Cristobal | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











