Surf Forecasts:
El Barco surf forecast from 8 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 8 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 9s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 12 Sep, 6AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 8s period, S swell with 684 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 8 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 9s 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 (Sep 08) at 9AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at El Barco in the next 16 days are 2.3m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (-03) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Sat 12th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Barco over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about the next couple of weeks at El Barco.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a slow grind for the most part. We’ve got a few isolated moments that might get your heart pumping, but you’ll need to pick your windows carefully. The water is sitting at 55°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so that’s a small win.
The best of the lot by a long shot is the early morning of Saturday the 12th. We’ve got a solid 7ft swell rolling in from the SSE, and the combined energy is a hefty 599 (moderate to strong). The period is 8 seconds, so it’s a bit of a wind swell, but the size is there. That said, the wind is straight onshore from the South at 22 mph, which is going to chop it up pretty good. It’s a bit of a raw, powerful mess – definitely one for the experienced crew only at that size. The afternoon stays similar with 7ft, so it’s not a write-off, but winds are still rubbish.
Outside of that, the early morning of Thursday the 19th is worth a mention. We’re looking at 3ft from the East, with a 7-second period, and the combined energy is 180 (moderate). The standout is the wind – a light WNW breeze at 6 mph blowing offshore, keeping things glassy and clean. It’s not going to be pumping, but it’ll be a fun, uncrowded little session on the smaller waves.
The rest of the run is mostly small, weak, and wind-affected. There’s a long gap of nothing worthwhile from the 9th through the 11th, and then again from the 13th to the 18th. The very end of the window on the 21st shows a 8ft swell from the South with a long 11-second period, and the energy is massive at 1283 (strong), but again, the wind is onshore, making it messy. A bit too raw for paddle surfing in my book.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed afternoon, min 8°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri morning, min 6°C on Sun morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Fri night, light winds from the ESE by Sun afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 8 | S 11 | S 12 | SSE 14 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SE 3 | SSE 6 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 94 | 84 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 62 | 24 | 21 | 18 | 17 | 9 | 208 | 599 | 560 | 422 | 300 | 240 | 76 | 78 | 57 | 43 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 9:51AM0.16m | 5:06PM0.35m | 5:41AM0.24m | 6:12PM0.34m | 6:33AM0.27m | 7:11PM0.33m | 7:22AM0.30m | 8:05PM0.31m | 8:10AM0.33m | 8:55PM0.29m | 8:55AM0.35m | 9:42PM0.27m | 9:40AM0.36m | 10:28PM0.25m | |||||||
Low Tide | 12:12PM0.14m | 1:29AM0.07m | 1:27PM0.11m | 2:25AM0.09m | 2:32PM0.07m | 3:15AM0.10m | 3:31PM0.04m | 4:03AM0.11m | 4:25PM0.02m | 00:29AM0.21m | 4:47AM0.13m | 5:15PM0.01m | 00:57AM0.20m | 5:30AM0.14m | 6:03PM0.01m | ||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | |  | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — |
 | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:30 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
Feels °C | 10 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 8 | S 11 | S 12 | SSE 14 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | E 9 | E 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | SSE 12 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | E 4 |
| kJ | 94 | 84 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 62 | 24 | 21 | 18 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 10 | 46 | 300 | 240 | 76 | 78 | 57 | 14 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | S 8 | SSE 16 | E 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 9 | — | — | — | E 10 | E 9 | E 8 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | SSE 11 | S 9 |
| kJ | 13 | 5 | 15 | 5 | 24 | 4 | 9 | 18 | 4 | 5 | 8 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 6 | 26 | 33 | 24 | 43 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | ENE 3 | SSE 12 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | — | — | — | E 14 | E 14 | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | SE 9 | E 10 | E 9 | SE 7 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 15 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 3 | — | E 4 | — | E 4 | ENE 4 | — | E 3 | ENE 4 | E 4 | SE 3 | SSE 6 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | — | ESE 6 | — | — | ESE 7 | NE 4 |
| kJ | 3 | — | 7 | — | 1 | 8 | — | 2 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 208 | 599 | 560 | 422 | — | 22 | — | — | 38 | 3 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 120 | 0 | 8 | 120 | 160 | 751 | 733 | 990 | 970 | 524 | 409 | 225 | 160 | 17 | 272 | 160 | 0 |
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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