El Arenal Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s break down El Arenal for the next 16 days. It’s a sandbar break, exposed to the north, and it’s a beginner-friendly spot, but I won’t sugarcoat it—this stretch is a real struggle. Cross-shore and cross-onshore winds are the main culprit, and they’re here to stay. The water temp is about 77°, which feels a touch warmer than normal for the season, so at least it’s comfortable.

Starting Thursday the 27th of August, we’ve got a NNE swell at 4ft with a short period of 5 seconds. Combined energy is 127, which is weak. It’s cloudy with a moderate cross-breeze, and the surf is just poor. Friday the 28th picks up to 5ft–6ft from the NNE and N, period still short at 6–7 seconds, energy climbs to 215 and 375, but it’s a fresh cross-shore and lumpy. No good.

Saturday the 29th offers the most interesting swell early on—a NNW groundswell at 5ft with a period of 11 seconds, lifting energy to 747, which is moderate to strong. That’s decent energy, but the wind is a moderate cross-shore from the NE, so it’s cross-chop. This longer period at a beach break can make it break too straight, and with the wind, it’s still poor. Sunday the 30th drops to 4ft–5ft, energy fading, cross-breeze sticks.

From Monday the 31st through Saturday the 5th of September, it’s a grind. Swell runs between 3ft and 7ft, but it’s all short-period NNE or NE windswell, and the wind stays cross or cross-onshore. The biggest day is Wednesday the 2nd of September, with a 7ft–7ft NNE swell at 8 seconds, energy at 469 and 563, but with a moderate cross-shore and cross-chop. Over 5ft, it’s too big for beginners, but with that wind, it’s only messy. Honestly, this looks more like a kite-surfing setup than paddle surfing.

A tiny window opens on Thursday the 10th of September. Thursday morning goes glassy—barely a breath from the west—and the swell is tiny at 2ft from the WNW, period 9 seconds, energy a weak 93. The notes say "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions", and I’d rank it a 1 out of 10. It’s not nothing, but you’ll want a longboard and low expectations. The afternoon goes back cross-onshore.

Friday the 11th of September sees a slight lift to 4ft from the WNW with a period of 11 seconds and energy of 363, but the wind swings to a moderate cross-shore from the NNE, bringing cross-chop again. No break.

So there you go. No real standouts. The best wave energy is on the 29th of August with that 5ft NNW groundswell, but the wind kills it. The only clean moment is the morning of the 10th of September, but it’s tiny. If you’re itching and have a log, that Thursday morning glass-off is your best play. Otherwise, sit this one out.

Rusty.

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