Surf Forecasts:
El Barco surf forecast from 9 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 14s period, SSE swell with 969 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for El Barco this week:
The most powerful waves expected at El Barco in the next 16 days are 1.6m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (-03) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Barco over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break it down. El Barco is in a tough spot. We’re looking at a long stretch of pretty ordinary conditions, with only a few short windows that might be worth a look. The water is 54°F, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year – about 3°F above the long-term average, so it’s notable.
The overall pattern is small, short-period windswell. The first real chance to get wet comes on Monday, August 11th. Tuesday morning the 11th has a 1.5m (5ft) SSE swell with a 12-second period – that’s a groundswell, so it’ll have some shape and power. The combined energy is moderate (579). The wind is light from the ESE, which is cross-on, but it’s light enough that it might not be a total mess. The forecast calls it “marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions.” It’s not a standout, but it’s the first hint of something.
The best of the bunch is Tuesday, August 12th. The morning offers a 1.2m (4ft) SSE swell with an 11-second period, combined energy at 327. The wind is a moderate breeze from the E, blowing cross-shore, which is not great but not terrible. The afternoon drops to 1.0m (3ft). This is the cleanest window in the whole 16 days – it’s surfable, but don’t expect a classic.
After that, it’s a long, slow grind. The second week is weak. From the 15th to the 16th, the wind turns cross-offshore and clean, but the swell is tiny – 1.0m to 1.3m (3-4ft) from the E, with super short periods of 5 to 8 seconds. That’s just windswell, no power. The combined energy is between 106 and 183 – weak. On the 22nd, there’s a whisper of a 0.5m (2ft) S swell with an 11-second period and light offshore wind, but the energy is a measly 66. For a surfer, that’s a long paddle for a tiny wave.
Overall, this is a lean period. No big swells, no clean groundswells with good wind. The best you’re looking at is a few small, marginal sessions. For a beginner, the 1.5m (5ft) on the 11th is at the top end of what’s comfortable, and the cross-on wind makes it tricky. Honestly, this setup looks more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer, especially on those days with strong cross-shore wind.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 10°C on Sat afternoon, min 6°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Sun night, light winds from the ESE by Tue morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri morning, min 7°C on Tue afternoon). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SSW 7 | S 7 | S 11 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | S 11 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | S 10 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 151 | 193 | 143 | 171 | 320 | 214 | 526 | 658 | 579 | 497 | 387 | 325 | 251 | 969 | 623 | 189 | 350 | 322 | 230 | 74 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:09AM0.19m | 4:07PM0.40m | 5:08AM0.20m | 5:14PM0.40m | 6:02AM0.21m | 6:18PM0.40m | 6:53AM0.24m | 12:16PM0.14m | 7:17PM0.39m | 7:42AM0.27m | 12:31PM0.13m | 8:14PM0.36m | 8:31AM0.29m | 9:08PM0.33m | ||||||
Low Tide | 11:39PM0.02m | 7:09AM0.15m | 00:44AM0.02m | 8:23AM0.14m | 1:47AM0.03m | 9:33AM0.13m | 1:09PM0.15m | 2:45AM0.04m | 10:40AM0.13m | 2:31PM0.11m | 3:38AM0.06m | 3:38PM0.08m | 4:28AM0.08m | 4:38PM0.05m | ||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | | | | | |  |  | |  | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — |
 | 6:02 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 9 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | S 9 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | — | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | S 11 | SSE 14 | E 8 | SSE 12 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | S 10 |
| kJ | 133 | 42 | 42 | 56 | 54 | 68 | — | 658 | 579 | 497 | 387 | 325 | 251 | 731 | 1 | 189 | 350 | 322 | 230 | 74 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 4 | E 9 | SSE 13 | E 10 | — | E 8 | — | — | — | — | E 10 | E 9 | SSE 14 | E 8 | — | E 8 | SE 5 | E 6 | ENE 7 | — |
| kJ | 1 | 2 | 65 | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 120 | 1 | — | 1 | 27 | 15 | 16 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | E 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SSW 7 | S 7 | S 11 | — | — | — | — | — | SE 4 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 5 | — | — | E 6 | E 6 |
| kJ | 151 | 193 | 143 | 171 | 320 | 214 | 526 | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 969 | 623 | 54 | — | — | 3 | 69 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 126 | 33 | 33 | 164 | 167 | 237 | 922 | 396 | 6 | 120 | 17 | 396 | 524 | 421 | 523 | 160 | 160 | 6 | 120 | 6 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Uruguay - South | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Uruguay | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the El Barco Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for El Barco provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at El Barco can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our El Barco 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 Barco) 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 Barco 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.
Are you planning a holiday in Uruguay - South? If you are looking for accommodation near El Barco, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Uruguay - South, consider staying in Maldonado which is 6 km (4 miles) away. Other places in and around Uruguay - South where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include San Carlos which is 17 km (11 miles) away, Minas, Rocha and La Paloma.
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