Surf Forecasts:
El Balneario surf forecast from 21 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 6s period, WNW swell with 127 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for El Balneario this week:
The most powerful waves expected at El Balneario in the next 16 days are 1.2m 6s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 5s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 2PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Balneario over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's take a look at what's on the menu for the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, it's a tough stretch. The whole 16-day window is a flat spell for us. The first surfable recommendation doesn't pop up until the 21st of July, and even then, it's a struggle. We're looking at a solid run of days with no real waves to speak of.
The pick of the bunch, if you can call it that, is El Balneario. It's a beginner-friendly spot, exposed to the west, but the swell is tiny and weak. Right from the get-go on Tuesday afternoon, July 21st, we're looking at a weak 2ft swell from the west, with a short, weak period of 5 seconds and combined energy of just 26. The water is sitting at 69°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year (a -3° anomaly). A westerly breeze is blowing straight onshore, making it a write-off.
The whole first week follows the same story. Small, weak westerly swell (2ft to 3ft, periods of 5-6 seconds, energy mostly in the teens to low 60s) and an onshore wind. It's just poor surf conditions day after day. There's a slight glimmer on Sunday afternoon, July 26th, when the wind swings to a light offshore from the ENE, but the swell is a pathetic 2ft with 7-second period and energy of 26. It'll be clean, but there's nothing to ride.
The following week stays flat. A few days of strong offshore easterly winds kick in around the 27th of July, but the swell is almost non-existent (0.3ft to 0.7ft). The wind is howling, but the ocean is basically a lake. Things look a little more hopeful on the 30th of July with a brief glassy morning, but the swell is still only 2ft. That's the best we get, and it's still poor.
The run continues into August. The 4th and 5th of August see offshore winds again, but with a tiny 1ft, short-period windswell from the WNW. It's clean, but not surfable.
So, the honest truth is there's nothing to get excited about. No standouts, no decent waves. The near-term is a write-off, and the long-range is just as dead. For a beginner spot, this is a real bummer. It's a classic dry spell for this area. Keep your board waxed, check back soon, and maybe take up the kitesurfing if the wind looks good, because the waves aren't coming.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Wed afternoon, min 21°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sun afternoon, min 19°C on Sat morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Sun afternoon, fresh winds from the E by Mon morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | ||||||||||||||
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) | W 5 | W 5 | W 6 | W 5 | WNW 5 | W 6 | W 6 | W 5 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | W 6 | WNW 6 | W 7 | WNW 7 | E 5 | W 6 | W 9 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 21 | 11 | 24 | 14 | 5 | 26 | 23 | 13 | 64 | 58 | 50 | 88 | 62 | 30 | 55 | 26 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | on | on | off | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | off | off | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 9:22PM1.04m | 9:59AM0.96m | 10:26PM0.97m | 11:11AM0.93m | 11:41PM0.95m | 12:26PM0.94m | 00:52AM0.96m | 1:28PM0.99m | 1:48AM1.01m | 2:17PM1.05m | 2:33AM1.07m | 2:58PM1.12m | 3:12AM1.13m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:06PM0.38m | 3:45AM0.39m | 4:08PM0.44m | 4:52AM0.44m | 5:24PM0.48m | 6:05AM0.44m | 6:38PM0.46m | 7:11AM0.41m | 7:39PM0.42m | 8:02AM0.36m | 8:26PM0.36m | 8:45AM0.29m | 9:06PM0.29m | |||||||
 |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — |
 | — | 9:36 | — | — | 9:35 | — | — | 9:35 | — | — | 9:34 | — | — | 9:32 | — | — | 9:31 | — | — | 9:31 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 25 | 25 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 24 |
Feels °C | 25 | 23 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 21 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | W 5 | W 6 | W 5 | WNW 5 | W 6 | W 9 | W 5 | — | W 9 | W 9 | — | — | W 6 | WNW 6 | W 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 9 | W 9 |
| kJ | 2 | 11 | 24 | 14 | 5 | 26 | 7 | 13 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | 30 | 55 | 26 | 10 | 4 | 8 | 6 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | W 7 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | — | WNW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | — | WNW 10 | W 10 | WNW 9 | W 6 | — |
| kJ | 3 | 4 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 10 | 8 | 8 | 1 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | W 5 | — | — | — | — | W 6 | SW 2 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | — | — | E 3 | E 4 | E 5 | E 5 | E 5 |
| kJ | 21 | 7 | — | — | — | — | 23 | 1 | 64 | 58 | 50 | 88 | 62 | — | — | 11 | 38 | 78 | 115 | 68 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 278 | 825 | 228 | 100 | 497 | 228 | 446 | 834 | 653 | 246 | 36 | 246 | 246 | 104 | 58 | 40 | 816 | 102 | 100 | 74 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Andalucia | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Spain (Europe) | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the El Balneario Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for El Balneario provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at El Balneario can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our El Balneario 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 Balneario) 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 Balneario 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 Balneario is 1 km (1 miles) from the city of Tarifa. If you plan a holiday in Andalucia, look for hotels and other accommodation in Tarifa. Tarifa has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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