Surf Forecasts:
El Balneario surf forecast from 22 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 15s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 9s period, W swell with 229 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 15s period with WNW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for El Balneario this week:
The surf forecast for El Balneario over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 4s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at El Balneario in the next 16 days are 1.2m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 1ft (0.3m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 1ft (0.3m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Balneario over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's going on. Honestly, the next couple of weeks are a tough watch for the El Balneario area. There's a long stretch of small, messy surf ahead, so we're going to have to be patient.
The outlook kicks off on Saturday, the 22nd of August. We've got a tiny 1.6ft swell coming from the west, but the wind is onshore and the energy is weak (17). The water is sitting at 70°, which feels a bit colder than normal for this time of year. It's a no-go for a paddle.
Sunday the 23rd offers a glimmer of hope. Early morning we see a glassy 1ft swell from the WNW, with a long period of 15 seconds and moderate energy (63). It's surfable but very ordinary. That's about as good as it gets for a while. After that, we're looking at a solid run of poor conditions through to the end of the month, with onshore and cross-onshore winds and tiny, weak swells.
We finally get a break in the wind pattern on Saturday, the 29th of August. The morning brings a gentle offshore breeze from the ENE, cleaning up a 2.3ft swell from the west. The energy is low (47), but the surf will be rideable for beginners. This spot is fairly consistent but be aware crowds are possible. It’s the best call of the first week.
Moving into the start of September, Sunday the 30th and Monday the 31st keep the offshore flow going from the east, but the swell stays tiny, dropping to 1.3ft to 1.6ft. It's clean, but there's just not enough push.
Tuesday the 1st of September morning goes glassy again with a 2.3ft west swell (38), but it's another session for the small-wave gear only. The rest of the first week of September drops off into a deep lull, with swells barely reaching 0.3ft and persistent onshore winds.
Looking at the second week, it doesn't get much better. Saturday the 5th of September has a glassy morning with a 0.3ft groundswell from the west at a very long 14 seconds, but the combined energy is next to nothing (6). It's a promising sign of a longer-period swell, but it's far too small to break properly. This pattern of tiny, weak swell continues through to the end of the forecast on Sunday the 6th.
The bottom line: If you're desperate for a paddle, the cleanest windows are the morning of Sunday the 23rd of August and the morning of Saturday the 29th of August. For the rest, it's a waiting game. The only standout for consistency and the best chance of a clean wave is El Balneario on Saturday morning, the 29th of August, with that gentle offshore wind cleaning up a small west swell. Don't expect much power.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon afternoon, min 19°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Tue afternoon, min 19°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | ||||||||||||||
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 6 | WNW 9 | WNW 15 | W 9 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | WNW 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | W 4 | W 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | W 5 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 15 | 15 | 44 | 6 | 93 | 154 | 229 | 140 | 105 | 60 | 54 | 15 | 33 | 12 | 3 | 10 | 17 | 51 | 25 | 12 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | off |
High Tide | 00:31AM0.91m | 1:10PM0.95m | 1:32AM0.98m | 1:59PM1.03m | 2:15AM1.06m | 2:37PM1.12m | 2:51AM1.14m | 3:09PM1.21m | 3:24AM1.21m | 3:40PM1.28m | 3:55AM1.27m | 4:10PM1.33m | 4:26AM1.30m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:14PM0.51m | 6:51AM0.46m | 7:23PM0.45m | 7:45AM0.39m | 8:09PM0.36m | 8:25AM0.30m | 8:46PM0.27m | 8:58AM0.22m | 9:19PM0.19m | 9:30AM0.15m | 9:50PM0.13m | 10:00AM0.10m | 10:21PM0.08m | |||||||
 |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — |
 | — | 9:04 | — | — | 9:02 | — | — | 9:00 | — | — | 9:00 | — | 8:59 | — | — | 8:57 | — | — | 8:55 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 23 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 23 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | W 5 | W 4 | WNW 13 | WNW 11 | W 10 | — | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | WNW 7 | E 6 | E 7 | W 6 | E 7 | W 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | W 5 |
| kJ | 9 | 4 | 4 | 63 | 93 | 154 | — | 140 | 105 | 60 | 54 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 17 | 51 | 25 | 12 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 15 | W 4 | W 14 | — | — | E 7 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | W 10 | W 9 | E 7 | — | WNW 7 | — | WNW 10 | WNW 11 |
| kJ | 2 | 15 | 44 | 1 | 16 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | 9 | — | 19 | 47 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WNW 9 | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | — | — | W 9 | — | E 6 | — | W 8 | — |
| kJ | — | — | 15 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | — | 1 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | W 9 | — | — | W 3 | — | W 5 | W 7 | W 6 | WNW 4 | W 4 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | 229 | — | — | 3 | — | 12 | 33 | 12 | 3 | 10 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 250 | 530 | 0 | 40 | 25 | 100 | 272 | 36 | 36 | 210 | 137 | 181 | 228 | 137 | 313 | 695 | 532 | 25 | 200 | 25 |
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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