Surf Forecasts:
El Canal surf forecast from 6 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 7 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 7 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period, ENE swell with 246 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 5 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s 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 Wednesday (Aug 05) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.9m and 7s 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 1.3m 8s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 07) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (AST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Wed 5th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Fri 7th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Fri 7th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Canal over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ve gotta be straight with you—this 16-day stretch for El Canal is a bit of a bummer. We’ve got consistent swell rolling in, no doubt, but the wind just won’t play nice. It’s cross-shore every single session, and that’s gonna leave us with lumpy, bumpy lines from Wednesday August 5 right through to Thursday August 20. The water temp’s sitting at a warm 84°F initially, which is pretty much average for this time of year, so at least you won’t need a thick suit.
Let’s break it down. From Wednesday August 5 onward, we’ve got east-northeasterly and easterly winds blowing at 12 to 19 mph, sometimes hitting 22 mph. That cross-shore chop is relentless, and the wave comment says it all: “poor surf conditions” for every single entry. Swell heights start around 3 ft on the Wednesday, with a short period of 6 seconds and weak energy, then build up through the week. By Saturday August 15 morning, we’re seeing 6 ft swell from the east with an 8-second period and moderate wave energy. Come Sunday August 16, it’s still 5 ft to 6 ft, but again—cross-shore wind and lumpy faces.
There’s no standout session here. The closest thing to a highlight would be Thursday August 20 when the wind drops a bit (still cross), and the swell drops to 4 ft, but even then it’s just “some clouds” and still cross-shore. For a reef break that’s exposed to north swells, seeing east wind all day is a killer. If you’re a kite surfer, this setup might look interesting with that steady side breeze, but for a paddle surfer? I’d save your energy.
Overall, we’ve got a solid 16-day run of small-to-medium swell, but the quality just isn’t there. No true standouts, no glassy mornings. It’s a dry spell, but forecasts can change—keep an eye on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 30°C on Thu morning, min 25°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Sat afternoon, min 24°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 6 | ENE 7 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 75 | 83 | 132 | 233 | 188 | 202 | 246 | 167 | 123 | 135 | 128 | 101 | 81 | 98 | 123 | 150 | 154 | 131 | 131 | 95 |
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 |
High Tide | 1:32AM0.49m | 2:52PM0.68m | 2:27AM0.46m | 3:57PM0.71m | 3:31AM0.44m | 5:02PM0.73m | 4:40AM0.44m | 6:04PM0.76m | 5:49AM0.46m | 7:02PM0.78m | 6:54AM0.50m | 7:55PM0.79m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:16PM0.24m | 7:52AM0.07m | 9:26PM0.24m | 8:47AM0.05m | 10:37PM0.23m | 9:49AM0.03m | 11:42PM0.21m | 10:52AM0.02m | 00:41AM0.19m | 11:56AM0.00m | 1:34AM0.17m | 12:58PM0.00m | 2:22AM0.15m | |||||||
 |  | | |  | | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | 7:15 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:14 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 27 |
Feels °C | 30 | 30 | 31 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 9 | ENE 7 | E 11 | — | E 10 | ENE 8 | — | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 9 | NE 9 | NE 8 | NE 9 |
| kJ | 2 | 83 | 2 | — | 8 | 202 | — | 14 | 20 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 12 | E 11 | — | E 10 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 9 | N 12 | — | NE 11 | — | NE 10 | — | — | — | E 10 |
| kJ | — | 3 | 2 | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 3 | — | 5 | — | 4 | — | — | — | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 12 | — | NE 11 | — | — | — | — | — | E 10 |
| kJ | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | — | ENE 7 | E 7 | ENE 7 | — | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 6 | ENE 7 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 |
| kJ | 75 | — | 132 | 233 | 188 | — | 246 | 167 | 123 | 135 | 128 | 101 | 81 | 98 | 123 | 150 | 154 | 131 | 131 | 95 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 382 | 0 | 382 | 633 | 0 | 375 | 838 | 0 | 377 | 1019 | 1 | 672 | 1086 | 0 | 160 | 375 | 1 | 1086 | 1005 | 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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