El Arenal Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's shaping up.

To be straight with you, the next couple of weeks aren't looking great for a proper paddle. We've got a real flat spell to start. The first decent bump doesn't show up until Friday the 24th, and even then it's only a marginal call. That means a solid 10-day gap of nothing worth getting wet for before we see anything with a pulse.

The whole run is focused on El Arenal, a sandbar break that's pretty beginner-friendly. It's a fairly consistent spot, but it's exposed to whatever wind is blowing, and that's the main problem. For the first week and a half, the wind is a mess – mostly cross-shore, cross-on, or onshore, with increasing strength. We get some small swell pulses, with combined energy readings in the 60 to 230 range, but it's all junked up by the wind. The water temp is hovering around 74°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year.

The best we've got is a very brief window on the morning of Friday the 24th. The swell is forecast to be 5 ft from the north, with a period of 7 seconds. The combined energy is moderate at 236. The wind is a light cross-shore breeze from the NNE, which just might keep things clean enough for a few. It's a marginal surf forecast, so temper your expectations. The break at El Arenal can get crowded sometimes, so if you do go, expect some company.

After that, it's back to poor conditions as the swell ticks up to 6 ft and 6 ft but the onshore wind returns. The 27th of July sees the biggest swell of the period, a 7 ft from the NNE with a combined energy of 504, but it's all cross-onshore and choppy.

Overall, the only thing that even comes close to a standout is that Friday morning. If you're desperate, you might find a few. Otherwise, this is a long stretch of poor surf, and it might be more interesting for the kite surfers than paddle surfers. The forecasts can change, but right now, it's a waiting game.

Rusty.

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