Surf Forecasts:
El Canal surf forecast from 12 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 12 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period, E swell with 212 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s 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 Sunday (Jul 12) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 9s 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 1.4m 7s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 14) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sun 12th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sun 12th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Sun 19th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Canal over the next 16 days.
Alright, Rusty here. Let me level with you about what’s cooking in the water for El Canal over the next couple of weeks. Got to be straight with you – it’s a pretty lean stretch ahead.
Right now, we’re looking at a long, bleak run of poor surf conditions that stretches from Sunday, July 12 all the way to Saturday, July 25. That’s nearly two full weeks where I wouldn’t bother dragging your board out. The swell is hanging around 4 ft to 5 ft from the East, but the period is short, mostly 6 to 8 seconds, so it’s weak, gutless stuff with no power behind it. The wind is a constant cross-shore, blowing 15 to 19 mph day in, day out, putting a nasty cross-chop on everything. The wave energy is weak to moderate – best we see in that period is around 219 (combined energy) on Monday, July 20 afternoon, but that’s still paired with messy onshore wind and poor surf quality. There’s just nothing worth paddling out for.
The only faint glimmer in this whole outlook shows up on Sunday, July 26. That morning, the wind shifts to a light cross-offshore from the ESE at 12 mph, and by the afternoon it swings SE at a gentle 9 mph, cleaning things up nicely. Swell drops to 3 ft from the East, still with a short 8-second period, but at least the face will be smoother. Combined wave energy sits at 139 that afternoon – still weak, but for the first time we get “surfable waves.” It’s not going to blow your mind, but it’s the only moment in the 16-day window where the lineup might not be a total chore. If you’re desperate for a paddle, that’s your window.
After that, Monday, July 27 rolls in and it’s right back to the same cross-shore slop with 12 to 19 mph winds and weak little 3 ft to 4 ft waves.
So, overall, El Canal is on a go-slow. The water temp sits at 83° on the first day, which is bang on average for this time of year – no surprises there. The crowds will be around sometimes when it’s clean, but right now, no one’s missing much.
Hang in there – it won’t stay this flat and choppy forever. This is Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Wed morning, min 24°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SE on Sun night, fresh winds from the ENE by Tue afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Fri morning, min 24°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Thu afternoon, light winds from the SSE by Fri night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sun 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 6 | E 7 | E 6 | N 6 | E 6 | N 9 | N 8 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 153 | 130 | 156 | 185 | 85 | 152 | 144 | 1 | 161 | 6 | 11 | 141 | 148 | 165 | 153 | 178 | 187 | 159 | 138 | 172 | 156 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | 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 | cross |
High Tide | 7:15PM0.82m | 7:02AM0.47m | 8:11PM0.84m | 8:04AM0.50m | 9:04PM0.84m | 9:04AM0.53m | 9:55PM0.82m | 10:03AM0.57m | 10:43PM0.79m | 11:01AM0.60m | 11:30PM0.73m | 11:58AM0.62m | 00:15AM0.67m | 12:56PM0.63m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:53AM0.16m | 1:04PM-0.04m | 2:46AM0.15m | 2:03PM-0.03m | 3:36AM0.13m | 3:02PM-0.01m | 4:24AM0.12m | 4:01PM0.03m | 5:10AM0.11m | 5:00PM0.08m | 5:55AM0.11m | 6:01PM0.14m | 6:38AM0.11m | ||||||||
 |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 |
 | 7:23 | — | — | 7:23 | — | — | 7:23 | — | — | 7:23 | — | — | 7:23 | — | — | 7:23 | — | — | 7:22 | — | 7:22 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 29 |
Feels °C | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 29 | 27 | 27 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | E 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 6 | NE 10 |
| kJ | 12 | 130 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 4 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 9 | N 8 | NE 9 | N 11 | N 11 | N 11 | — | — | N 7 | — | — | — | — | NNE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 6 | NE 10 |
| kJ | 3 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 4 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 9 | N 11 | N 11 | N 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | — | E 8 | E 8 | E 6 | E 7 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 |
| kJ | 153 | — | 156 | 185 | 85 | 152 | 144 | 162 | 161 | 149 | 125 | 141 | 148 | 165 | 153 | 178 | 187 | 159 | 138 | 172 | 156 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1019 | 0 | 520 | 651 | 0 | 520 | 838 | 48 | 520 | 832 | 19 | 832 | 520 | 1 | 520 | 892 | 0 | 382 | 838 | 1 | 520 |
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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