Surf Forecasts:
El Anclote surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 17s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, SSW swell with 330 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 12PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 16s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for El Anclote this week:
The surf forecast for El Anclote over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 12PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at El Anclote in the next 16 days are 0.8m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12PM (Tue 25th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 6PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Anclote over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again.
We’re looking at El Anclote, and to be straight with you, the next couple of weeks are pretty flat and quiet. There’s no big juice in the water, but there’s a couple of windows where it gets a little more interesting.
Starting Tuesday, August 25th, we’ve got tiny 1ft swell rolling in from the SW with a very long 16-second period. The energy is weak, only 114. The water is a very warm 89°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year—over 4° above average, so it’s a proper bath. Tuesday morning is glassy, which is a treat, and the offshore wind picks up on Wednesday afternoon from the NW. But with wave heights that small, it’s more of a longboard or a splash-around session than anything with push.
We drift through the rest of the week and into the weekend with the same tiny 1ft to 2ft stuff. Thursday and Friday mornings have light cross-shore winds that mess with the surface a bit, but the afternoons clean up. Still, it’s very ordinary. The energy stays low, mostly between 81 and 170, so don’t expect any grunt.
Now, Saturday, August 29th is the first real standout. Morning sees the swell bump up slightly to 2ft from the SW, period still a long 16 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to 307—moderate energy finally. Winds are cross-off from the NE at 6 mph, keeping it clean. This is the best on offer early on, but it’s still small. If you’re a beginner, this is your window because it’s well under 5ft and very manageable.
After that, we hit a bit of a flat spot. Sunday the 30th through to Wednesday, September 2nd sees the swell drop back to 1ft to 2ft with weaker energy, often below 100. Conditions are mixed with cross-shore winds and even a risk of thunderstorms. Not much to write home about.
But hold on—Thursday, September 3rd afternoon shapes up nicely. Swell picks up to 2ft from the SW, period 17 seconds, and energy hits 274. Winds are cross-off from the WNW at 9 mph, giving us clean waves. This is another solid option, though still on the smaller side.
Friday, September 4th morning bumps up to 2ft with 301 energy, but it’s cross-on from the ESE, so expect some wind bump. The afternoon gets chopped out with moderate cross-shore winds. Not ideal.
The following week, from September 6th onward, we’re back to small 1ft to 2ft swells with only brief windows of clean conditions. Nothing really stands out as a must-go session. The energy is mostly weak, and the winds are hit or miss.
Overall, the best bet in this 16-day window is Saturday, August 29th morning, and then Thursday, September 3rd afternoon. Both offer the most consistent, clean conditions with the most energy. For beginners, the 2ft swell is fine, but anything over 5ft isn’t in the picture here, so it’s all very manageable.
This is a reef break, so those long-period SW swells will wrap in nicely, but with such small heights, it’s not going to be a barnstormer. Crowds are “sometimes” an issue here, so you might have company on those better days.
Stay patient, and keep an eye on the forecasts. It tends not to stay this quiet forever.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 30°C on Wed afternoon, min 26°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Sat night. Warm (max 30°C on Fri afternoon, min 27°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 16 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
67 | 65 | 89 | 63 | 57 | 54 | 74 | 73 | 64 | 104 | 148 | 330 | 258 | 248 | 176 | 138 | 138 | 97 | 88 | 70 | 69 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 9:10AM1.21m | 7:58PM1.42m | 9:22AM1.26m | 8:30PM1.48m | 9:36AM1.31m | 9:01PM1.51m | 9:52AM1.36m | 9:32PM1.49m | 10:09AM1.40m | 10:04PM1.43m | 10:28AM1.43m | 10:38PM1.33m | 10:47AM1.45m | 11:15PM1.20m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:16PM0.75m | 2:52AM0.14m | 2:39PM0.66m | 3:13AM0.14m | 3:05PM0.56m | 3:33AM0.17m | 3:33PM0.48m | 3:54AM0.23m | 4:03PM0.42m | 4:15AM0.32m | 4:36PM0.38m | 4:35AM0.43m | 5:12PM0.37m | ||||||||
6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | |
— | 7:23 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:19 | — | — | 7:17 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | 1 | 6 | — | — | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | 9 |
Temp °C | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 |
Feels °C | 33 | 34 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 35 | 34 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 35 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 33 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | SW 8 | WSW 8 | SW 15 | WSW 10 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 16 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
33 | 37 | 31 | 16 | 19 | 54 | 38 | 73 | 64 | 104 | 148 | 330 | 258 | 248 | 176 | 138 | 138 | 97 | 88 | 70 | 69 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | WSW 7 | SW 14 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | SW 13 | SW 13 | W 7 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SW 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 9 |
67 | 65 | 89 | 63 | 57 | 10 | 74 | 32 | 13 | 61 | 61 | 8 | 46 | 38 | 21 | 14 | 6 | 6 | 14 | 14 | 12 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | WSW 12 | SSW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 19 | WSW 7 | W 7 | WNW 13 | W 6 | WNW 12 | WNW 7 | NNW 5 | W 11 | SW 10 | SW 8 | SW 19 | SW 18 |
14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 5 | 15 | 30 | 49 | 34 | 5 | 9 | 17 | 3 | 14 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 14 | 13 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | NW 4 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 491 | 32 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Nayarit | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Mexico | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the El Anclote Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for El Anclote provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at El Anclote can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our El Anclote 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 (El Anclote) 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 El Anclote 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.
El Anclote is 34 km (21 miles) from Puerto Vallarta. If you plan a holiday in Nayarit, look for hotels and other accommodation in Puerto Vallarta. Puerto Vallarta has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











