El Arenal Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

Straight up, we’ve got a bit of a rough patch to get through. The first week or so is looking pretty average. There’s swell around, but the wind is just not playing ball. It’s mostly cross or cross-onshore, and the wave quality is taking a hit. The waves are there, but they’re messy and choppy. The water temp is sitting at about 74°, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year, so that’s a nice little bonus if you’re already in the water.

Looking at the first spot, El Arenal. It’s a sandbar setup, so it can be a bit inconsistent. The early part of the forecast, from Saturday the 25th through to the end of July, is all about that poor quality. The swell is coming from the NNE, running 3ft to 7ft, with a short period of 6 to 8 seconds. The energy is moderate, with combined energy values in the 100s and 500s, but that wind just ruins it. Honestly, it’s more of a kite-surfing window than paddling, with that cross-onshore chop.

There’s a notable gap of several days where there’s just no good surf to recommend. The first hint of something better appears on the morning of Sunday, August 2nd. The wind finally swings around to a light ESE, giving us a clean, cross-off breeze. The swell is small, only 4ft from the NNE, but with that clean wind, it’s the best we’ve seen. The combined energy is moderate at 234. It’s a bit of a fluke, but that morning session should be the standout of the whole outlook. The crowds are possible at El Arenal, and with the surf being so small and clean, it’ll be a popular spot for a few fun waves.

After that, it’s back to the same old story. The wind turns onshore again and the quality drops right off. The swell picks up again in the first week of August, with some 7ft+ NNE swells on the 5th and 6th, but it’s all cross-onshore and choppy. The energy is strong, with values in the 500s and 700s, but it’s not surfable for a paddle. This extended run of poor conditions carries right through to the end of the forecast on August 9th.

So, the big takeaway? If you can get out on the morning of Sunday, August 2nd, you’ll get the cleanest waves of the whole 16 days. It’s only small, but it’ll be worth it. For the rest of it, you’re either getting blown out or sitting on the beach.

Rusty.

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