
Surf Forecasts:
Carola surf forecast from 10 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 12s period, NW 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 0.4m 12s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (-06) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Thu 10th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Carola over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Well, folks, it’s Rusty here, and I’ve got to be straight with you. We’re looking at a real dry spell on the horizon. For the next 16 days, there is nothing that comes close to a decent wave. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but that’s the reality of this stretch.
The only spot we’ve got any data on is Carola, a reef break that’s fairly consistent, but the ocean just isn’t cooperating. For the entire window, the swell is tiny, mostly under 1ft, and often completely flat. The energy in the water is weak, with readings like (42) and (30) early on, and dropping to single digits for most of the period. That’s just not enough to push a wave over a reef.
The first few days, starting Wednesday the 9th, there’s a small, weak NW swell at 11 seconds, but with a cross-off wind, it’s just not doing anything. The wave comment says it all: poor surf conditions. This is the case for the entire first week. We’re seeing a lot of days with no swell at all and the wind staying cross or cross-off, which is just messy. There are gaps of several days with absolutely no surf on offer, just flat calm and some chop.
Going into the middle of the month, the 15th brings a little pulse of 0.7ft at 14 seconds, but the energy is a weak (20). That long period isn't helping a beach break that isn't here, but at this size, it's pointless. The 17th and 18th see similar tiny, short-period scraps of swell, but nothing that will have you reaching for your board. The winds, while sometimes clean, are mostly cross-shore, adding a bit of chop to an already flat ocean.
The second week continues the same story. There are a few small bumps around the 20th, with 0.7ft from the NNW at 8 seconds, but with energy at (6), it’s not going to break the surface. It’s just a lot of nothing.
Look, the water temp at the first mention of a surf spot is 78°, which is 9° warmer than normal. That’s very unusual, so if you're just keen for a swim, the water will feel great. But for surfing, this is a blank run. It’s one of those times where the ocean just switches off. It happens.
The conditions are so poor, and the swell so insignificant, that from a surfer’s standpoint, there is nothing to get excited about. Given the lack of swell and the not-so-great winds, places like this might be more interesting for the kite crowd than paddle surfers. But for us? It’s time to find another hobby for a couple of weeks.
Forecasts can change, but right now, I wouldn't hold my breath. The lineup is going to be quiet, that’s for sure.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sat morning, min 24°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sat afternoon, min 24°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | ||||||||||||||
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 11 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 12 | NW 11 | NW 11 | SSE 9 | NW 11 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | WNW 10 | NW 10 | NW 10 | SW 18 | SW 18 | NNW 8 | NNW 15 | NNW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
30 | 30 | 30 | 34 | 30 | 18 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 21 | 20 | 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 | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 1:51AM2.07m | 2:08PM2.02m | 2:34AM2.16m | 2:51PM2.08m | 3:13AM2.20m | 3:31PM2.10m | 3:51AM2.19m | 4:10PM2.07m | 4:26AM2.13m | 4:47PM2.00m | 5:01AM2.04m | 5:25PM1.89m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:37PM0.22m | 8:07AM0.25m | 8:22PM0.13m | 8:50AM0.16m | 9:03PM0.09m | 9:29AM0.11m | 9:42PM0.10m | 10:07AM0.11m | 10:19PM0.16m | 10:43AM0.16m | 10:54PM0.27m | 11:18AM0.25m | 11:30PM0.40m | |||||||
— | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | |
5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:57 | — | — | 5:55 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
Feels °C | 26 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SSE 8 | SW 16 | SSE 8 | SW 14 |
823 | 813 | 612 | 472 | 196 | 227 | 268 | 216 | 216 | 216 | 72 | 69 | 246 | 375 | 444 | 687 | 211 | 729 | 181 | 476 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 13 | SSW 11 | SW 16 | NNW 14 | SW 15 | SSE 8 |
30 | 30 | 30 | 34 | 407 | 346 | 221 | 208 | 136 | 132 | 183 | 175 | 67 | 32 | 61 | 11 | 748 | 20 | 551 | 144 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 11 | — | — | SSW 19 | NW 11 | NW 11 | SW 18 | NW 11 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 10 | NW 10 | NW 10 | SW 14 | SSW 11 | NNW 8 | NNW 15 | SW 24 | SW 24 | SSW 24 |
12 | — | — | 37 | 30 | 18 | 79 | 19 | 66 | 67 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 33 | 11 | 6 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 54 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | — | SSE 8 | — | — |
145 | 132 | 188 | 204 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 262 | 262 | 299 | 250 | 250 | 244 | — | 176 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 94 | 94 | 94 | 1247 | 3 | 94 | 94 | 3 | 3 | 1294 | 94 | 94 | 1296 | 94 | 94 | 94 | 94 | 94 | 94 | 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.










