
Surf Forecasts:
El Balneario surf forecast from 27 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 3 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 8s period, W swell with 46 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 0.6m 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 03) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Balneario over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s be real about this stretch.
We’re looking at a long, flat run for the next couple of weeks. From now until the 9th of August, there’s barely a ripple. The swell is tiny, mostly under 2 feet, and even though the wind is often offshore, there’s nothing to push. The water is sitting a bit colder than normal for this time of year, around 70°.
The only spot in the picture is El Balneario. It’s a beginner wave, fairly consistent, exposed to the swell, and it can get a crowd. The sweet spot for swell direction is from the WSW, but we’re not seeing that for a while.
The first sign of something happens on August 9th (Sunday). The swell picks up to about 4 feet from the west, with a combined energy of 107 (moderate). The problem? The wind is onshore from the west, so it’s going to be a messy, blown-out mess. The next day, August 10th (Monday), sees a bit more size, with a 4-foot west swell and combined energy of 145 (moderate), but again, it’s got that onshore west wind ruining it. This size is still okay for the beginners this break is made for, but the onshore wind is going to chop it up. It’s more of a kite-surfing day than a paddle session.
The only real window of hope comes on Tuesday, August 11th. The wind finally switches to offshore from the east, with a moderate breeze, and the swell is about 3 feet from the west-northwest. The combined energy is 56 (weak) and the period is a short 6 seconds, so it’s not powerful, but that offshore wind is going to make it clean. The morning is described as "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions," which is the best we’ve got in the whole outlook. It’s not a standout, but it’s the only time the wind and swell cooperate.
So, the best on offer is August 11th (Tuesday) morning at El Balneario. It won’t be anything to write home about, but with clean conditions and a bit of waist-high surf, it’s your only chance. Don’t expect much, but it’s better than staring at flat water.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Mon afternoon, min 22°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the E on Mon afternoon, light winds from the E by Tue night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Fri afternoon, min 22°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 6 | E 5 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 8 | W 5 | W 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | W 12 | W 9 | W 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
12 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 26 | 23 | 34 | 46 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | on |
High Tide | 2:58PM1.12m | 3:12AM1.13m | 3:34PM1.18m | 3:48AM1.18m | 4:07PM1.23m | 4:21AM1.21m | 4:40PM1.27m | 4:53AM1.23m | 5:11PM1.29m | 5:26AM1.24m | 5:43PM1.30m | 5:59AM1.23m | 6:15PM1.28m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:45AM0.29m | 9:06PM0.29m | 9:22AM0.23m | 9:42PM0.23m | 9:56AM0.18m | 10:16PM0.19m | 10:28AM0.15m | 10:49PM0.15m | 10:59AM0.13m | 11:21PM0.14m | 11:31AM0.13m | 11:54PM0.14m | 12:04PM0.15m | 00:28AM0.16m | |||||||
7:24 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:31 | — | — | 9:30 | — | — | 9:30 | — | — | 9:29 | — | — | 9:28 | — | — | 9:27 | — | — | 9:25 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 29 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 29 | 31 | 28 |
Feels °C | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 29 | 29 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 11 | WNW 10 | W 5 | WNW 10 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | W 8 | WNW 4 |
12 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 2 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 26 | 23 | 34 | 6 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | — | — | — | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 10 | W 5 | WNW 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 10 | W 5 | ENE 6 | E 6 | WNW 8 |
8 | 8 | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 22 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | — | — | — | W 12 | W 11 | W 8 | — | W 4 | — | E 5 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | 5 | — | 1 | — | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 4 | E 5 | E 5 | E 5 | E 5 | E 7 | E 7 | E 4 | E 7 | E 6 | E 4 | E 6 | E 6 | E 4 | E 4 | E 4 | E 4 | ENE 6 | — | — | W 8 |
42 | 70 | 121 | 104 | 83 | 92 | 74 | 54 | 57 | 28 | 17 | 38 | 28 | 22 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 10 | — | — | 46 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 100 | 71 | 94 | 71 | 97 | 94 | 94 | 94 | 316 | 247 | 329 | 360 | 228 | 328 | 826 | 219 | 149 | 313 | 42 | 79 | 441 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Andalucia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Spain (Europe) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










