Surf Forecasts:
El Barco surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 14s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 13s period, S swell with 1,018 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 11s period with SSE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for El Barco this week:
The surf forecast for El Barco over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 11s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at El Barco in the next 16 days are 1.7m 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (-03) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Barco over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for El Barco over the next couple of weeks.
First up, the water temp is sitting pretty average for this time of year, so nothing wild there. The overall pattern? Honestly, it’s a bit of a flat spell with a few windows that could be worth a paddle. The best bet looks like Tuesday the 25th of August, when we get a clean morning with a light offshore breeze. That’s the standout.
El Barco is an exposed south-facing spot, and the swell direction is coming from the SSE, which is right in the sweet spot. Tuesday morning the 25th sees a 4ft SSE swell, period around 11 seconds – that’s a decent groundswell, giving the waves some shape and punch. The wind is a light NNE cross-offshore, so the surface will be clean. Combined energy is moderate at 283. It’s not huge, but for an intermediate surfer, it’s a fun, manageable size. The break is fairly consistent, which is a bonus.
The rest of the week is a mixed bag. Monday the 24th has a bit more size – 5ft from the south in the morning – but the wind is onshore and the combined energy is 694, making it messy. Not worth it. The following days drop off quickly. From Thursday the 27th afternoon right through to the end of August, it’s poor surf conditions with small, weak swell and cross-onshore winds. There’s a solid gap of several days with nothing to recommend.
Then we get a little spike on Tuesday the 1st of September with a 5ft SW swell, but the period is a short 6 seconds – windswell, basically – and the wind is cross-off but the quality is poor. On Wednesday the 2nd in the morning, there’s a tiny 3ft S swell with a clean cross-off breeze, but it’s very ordinary. That’s about as good as the second week gets, and it’s not much.
So, to wrap it up: Tuesday the 25th of August morning is the clear standout. Clean, light winds, a little groundswell, and a break that’s usually reliable. Get in the water then. After that, hold your breath – it goes quiet for a long stretch. Forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 5°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 11°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 14 | S 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SE 14 | SSE 13 | SE 14 | SSE 13 | SE 13 | SSE 12 | SE 11 | E 11 | E 11 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | ESE 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1367 | 694 | 486 | 308 | 260 | 210 | 821 | 357 | 614 | 313 | 167 | 96 | 60 | 55 | 56 | 35 | 33 | 30 | 42 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:55AM0.19m | 4:58PM0.29m | 6:24AM0.20m | 5:51PM0.29m | 6:50AM0.20m | 6:39PM0.30m | 7:17AM0.22m | 12:02PM0.17m | 7:25PM0.30m | 7:46AM0.24m | 8:09PM0.29m | 8:18AM0.26m | 8:52PM0.29m | ||||||
Low Tide | 00:30AM0.09m | 8:06AM0.19m | 1:24AM0.09m | 9:13AM0.18m | 2:13AM0.10m | 10:08AM0.18m | 1:43PM0.17m | 2:56AM0.10m | 11:08AM0.17m | 2:44PM0.15m | 3:37AM0.11m | 3:35PM0.13m | 4:17AM0.12m | 4:23PM0.10m | |||||
 |  |  |  | | | |  | | |  | |  | | |  | | | | |
 | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — |
 | 6:14 | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:17 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 12 |
Feels °C | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 16 | 11 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 14 | S 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SE 14 | SSE 13 | SE 14 | SSE 13 | SE 13 | SSE 12 | E 8 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | SSE 10 | SE 5 | SE 9 |
| kJ | 1367 | 694 | 486 | 308 | 260 | 210 | 821 | 357 | 614 | 313 | 167 | 96 | 47 | 55 | 56 | 18 | 9 | 30 | 3 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SE 15 | SSE 15 | — | SE 16 | — | — | E 6 | E 7 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | E 10 | E 7 | S 8 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 8 | 144 | — | 268 | — | — | 41 | 34 | 60 | 29 | 25 | 15 | 8 | 9 | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SE 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 10 | S 8 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | ENE 4 | ENE 4 | E 5 | — | SW 3 | S 5 | SSE 4 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | — | ESE 6 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 20 | 3 | 9 | 27 | — | 2 | 27 | 24 | 28 | 35 | 33 | — | 42 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 225 | 164 | 421 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 167 | 225 | 415 | 314 | 237 | 297 | 314 |
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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