
Surf Forecasts:
Carola surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 15 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 0.5ft (0.2m), 15s period, NNW swell with 21 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 15s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (-06) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 0.5ft (0.2m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Carola over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's take a look at what the next couple of weeks have in store for us. I've got to be straight with you – it's looking pretty grim. We're going to see a long stretch of flat, un-rideable conditions, so if you've got a kite, you might want to dust it off.
Looking at the whole 16-day window, the standout feature is how little surf we have. For the first week and a half, from Sunday the 13th right through to Monday the 21st of September, there is essentially nothing to get excited about. We're talking tiny, inconsistent ripples and poor surf conditions the whole way. The combined wave energy is barely a whisper, often reading at a weak 4 or 5, and sometimes even a flat zero. That's about as close to a bathtub as you can get without the bubbles.
Our only real option on the table is Carola (reef). But here’s the kicker – it's barely breaking. For the first nine days, the swell height is a measly 0.3 ft coming from the NW or N, with periods hanging around 8 to 10 seconds. That's just not enough to push over a reef. The wind is a bit of a tease, often cross-off or cross, which would be fine if there were any waves, but there aren't. The water temp is a very unusual 79° – that's a massive 10° warmer than average for this time of year, which is wild, but it won't help the surf.
We do get a tiny pulse around Tuesday the 22nd of September. Swell bumps up to 3 ft from the SSW, but it's a short, weak windswell with a period of just 4 seconds. The combined energy climbs to a moderate 33, which is better, but the wind switches to a cross-on direction at 9-12 mph, making it choppy. That's about the only time the ocean shows any sign of life, but the quality is just not there for a good paddle session.
After that little blip, it’s back to flatness. From Wednesday the 23rd onward, the swell disappears again, with heights dropping back to 0.3 ft to 1.0 ft and energy levels sinking to single digits. Honestly, this is a blank run that feels normal for this area when the swell windows are closed. Don't hold your breath.
Bottom line: there are no good surf options in this 16-day window. The one spot, Carola, is a rare, inconsistent break and it's not cooperating. It’s a perfect time to check your wax stash or take up golf.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sun morning, min 24°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Thu morning, min 24°C on Wed 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) | NW 10 | NW 10 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | NNW 15 | N 9 | N 8 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | N 8 | N 7 | N 6 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | NW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 8 | |
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 | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 4:10PM2.07m | 4:26AM2.13m | 4:47PM2.00m | 5:01AM2.04m | 5:25PM1.89m | 5:36AM1.91m | 6:04PM1.77m | 6:14AM1.78m | 6:49PM1.64m | 6:57AM1.64m | 7:45PM1.53m | 7:54AM1.52m | 9:00PM1.46m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:07AM0.11m | 10:19PM0.16m | 10:43AM0.16m | 10:54PM0.27m | 11:18AM0.25m | 11:30PM0.40m | 11:55AM0.36m | 00:07AM0.54m | 12:34PM0.49m | 00:49AM0.68m | 1:21PM0.61m | 1:42AM0.81m | 2:22PM0.71m | ||||||||
5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | |
— | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:55 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Feels °C | 24 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 18 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SW 17 | SSE 8 | SW 16 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SW 14 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSE 6 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 |
69 | 246 | 306 | 268 | 763 | 223 | 729 | 190 | 160 | 469 | 144 | 119 | 249 | 245 | 241 | 220 | 184 | 74 | 450 | 540 | 375 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SW 12 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 11 | SW 16 | SSE 8 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSE 8 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSE 8 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 21 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 |
175 | 67 | 375 | 366 | 11 | 653 | 185 | 551 | 476 | 147 | 384 | 253 | 78 | 137 | 184 | 168 | 112 | 180 | 140 | 133 | 126 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 10 | NW 10 | SW 11 | SW 13 | S 13 | NNW 15 | N 9 | N 8 | SSW 24 | SW 23 | SW 22 | SW 21 | SW 21 | N 8 | N 7 | N 6 | SW 18 | SW 19 | NW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 9 |
4 | 4 | 32 | 61 | 3 | 21 | 6 | 5 | 54 | 83 | 75 | 116 | 153 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 79 | 170 | 3 | 6 | 8 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | — | — | SSE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 4 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 5 | — | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | S 6 |
353 | 385 | — | — | 262 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 16 | 151 | 147 | 140 | 74 | — | 68 | 68 | 84 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 94 | 1261 | 94 | 94 | 94 | 94 | 94 | 94 | 3 | 94 | 94 | 94 | 94 | 94 | 94 | 94 | 94 | 94 | 94 | 1300 | 3 |
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.










