Surf Forecasts:
El Canal surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 7s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period, E swell with 355 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 6s period with E swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for El Canal this week:
The surf forecast for El Canal over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 8s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at El Canal in the next 16 days are 1.7m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Canal over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let's see what El Canal has in store.
Honestly, it’s a rough outlook. Over the full 16 days, there isn't a real standout window. The main problem is the wind, which is stuck out of the east, blowing cross-shore almost every day, leaving the surface chopped and messy. For a reef that needs clean conditions, this is a tough run.
The waves do start showing some size in the second half. From the 26th of August through the end of the month, the combined swell energy climbs into the moderate to strong range. On Monday, the 31st of August, we get a peak with energy in the 600s and a marginal rating. The swell hits 1.9m from the east with a short period, but the cross-shore wind ruins it. It’s the only hint of something rideable, but it’s set to be a sloppy, close-out mess. After that, the swell fades fast into early September, with tiny waves and onshore flow on the 2nd.
Because of the constant cross-shore wind, there’s no day that really shines. The 31st of August morning has the most energy, but with that breeze, it would be better suited for a kite surfer than someone on a paddle board.
A tough stretch with nothing to get pumped about.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Fri morning, min 24°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Fri afternoon, light winds from the SSE by Fri night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Wed morning, min 25°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Mon afternoon, light winds from the SE by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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) | E 8 | E 7 | E 7 | E 8 | E 7 | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | NE 7 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 12 | 173 | 150 | 30 | 82 | 50 | 67 | 52 | 72 | 85 | 2 | 112 | 108 | 97 | 95 | 74 | 76 | 301 | 355 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:33AM0.40m | 4:03PM0.60m | 3:29AM0.38m | 5:00PM0.61m | 4:30AM0.39m | 5:52PM0.62m | 5:29AM0.40m | 6:38PM0.64m | 6:22AM0.44m | 7:19PM0.66m | 7:11AM0.48m | 7:56PM0.67m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:43PM0.26m | 8:49AM0.12m | 10:45PM0.26m | 9:43AM0.13m | 11:40PM0.25m | 10:37AM0.13m | 00:28AM0.25m | 11:30AM0.12m | 1:08AM0.23m | 12:20PM0.12m | 1:44AM0.22m | 1:08PM0.12m | 2:17AM0.20m | ||||||
 |  | | | | | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — |
 | 7:07 | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:04 | — | — | 7:02 | — | — | 7:01 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 31 | 31 | 28 |
Feels °C | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 32 | 30 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | E 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | E 8 | ENE 8 | NNE 8 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | E 8 | ENE 10 | NE 16 | NE 15 |
| kJ | 12 | 5 | 5 | 30 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 37 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 8 | E 13 | NE 9 | NNE 7 | E 12 | E 12 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | E 11 | E 11 | — | — | N 12 | N 11 | N 11 | N 11 | NE 18 | NE 10 | NE 11 |
| kJ | 6 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 4 | 4 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 14 | — | E 13 | NE 8 | — | — | NE 9 | E 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 11 | NE 10 | NE 12 | — |
| kJ | 4 | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 4 | 6 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 5 | E 7 | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 8 |
| kJ | 137 | 173 | 150 | 56 | 82 | 50 | 67 | 52 | 72 | 85 | 83 | 112 | 108 | 97 | 95 | 74 | 76 | 301 | 355 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 48 | 666 | 838 | 1 | 520 | 838 | 0 | 48 | 1008 | 19 | 666 | 838 | 0 | 651 | 651 | 0 | 377 | 520 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Amber Coast | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Dominican Republic | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the El Canal Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for El Canal provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at El Canal can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our El Canal 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 Canal) 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 Canal 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 Canal is 18 km (11 miles) from Puerto Plata. If you plan a holiday in Amber Coast, look for hotels and other accommodation in Puerto Plata. Puerto Plata has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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