
Surf Forecasts:
El Canyon surf forecast from 5 Aug 2026:
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for El Canyon this week:
The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 12PM.
The Lowdown
G’day, it’s Rusty here, and I’ve got to level with you—this is a quiet stretch ahead. I’m looking at a full 16-day window starting August 5th, and there’s simply nothing doing at El Canyon. The ocean’s got plenty of wind but zero swell. The energy readings are flat-out empty, registering `0` for the entire stretch, which tells you we’re in for a real drought.
For the first week, from the 5th through the 11th, there’s no surf to speak of. The swell charts are showing a total blank, and while the winds are mostly offshore and light to moderate, it doesn’t matter when there’s nothing to push. You’ll see clean, glassy water out there, but it’s a lake, not a lineup. There’s a bit of a gap in the action for sure—pretty much the whole first week is a washout.
Now, the water temp at El Canyon is sitting at `78°F` with an anomaly of `9°F` warmer than the long-term average for this time of year. That’s a huge jump, way past the “notable” mark—this is seriously unusual, so you can expect bathwater conditions when something finally shows.
We finally get a tiny blip on the 17th of August, a week from Tuesday. It’s only a `0.3ft` wave, and it’s coming from the northwest with a period of `10 seconds`. That’s next to nothing—barely a ripple. It’s not even worth paddling out for. We’re talking about a lot of flat days building up to that, and after that, it’s back to nothing for the rest of the run through the 20th.
I’ve got to be honest, this outlook is as blank as it gets. El Canyon is a reef break that’s fairly consistent, and it can handle a good southwest swell, but there’s zero of that coming. The winds are mostly offshore or cross-offshore for most of the period, which is a tease—it would be clean if there was anything to surf. But there isn’t.
For a break that’s an advanced, exposed reef, you need some push, and we’re just not getting it. With this much time flat, it’s easy to get restless, but that’s the nature of the game sometimes. The positive side? A stretch this dead usually doesn’t last forever, and the forecasts can shift. But for now, keep the board in the car and the fins in the shed—this is a waiting game.
Always remember, the ocean’s got its own clock. We just gotta be patient.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Thu morning, min 23°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat morning, min 24°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 20 | SW 14 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 7:20PM1.71m | 7:42AM1.85m | 8:22PM1.64m | 8:45AM1.79m | 9:36PM1.62m | 9:58AM1.75m | 10:56PM1.66m | 11:15AM1.77m | 00:10AM1.76m | 12:25PM1.85m | 1:12AM1.90m | 1:25PM1.94m | 2:06AM2.04m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:11PM0.42m | 1:20AM0.49m | 2:06PM0.46m | 2:19AM0.59m | 3:13PM0.50m | 3:34AM0.65m | 4:30PM0.49m | 5:00AM0.65m | 5:47PM0.42m | 6:19AM0.56m | 6:53PM0.30m | 7:24AM0.44m | 7:49PM0.18m | ||||||||
6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | |
— | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
Feels °C | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 23 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSE 8 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 |
176 | 171 | 144 | 119 | 125 | 929 | 608 | 623 | 597 | 437 | 394 | 290 | 220 | 489 | 332 | 379 | 318 | 128 | 371 | 283 | 275 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSE 8 |
293 | 257 | 245 | 386 | 469 | 125 | 96 | 94 | 71 | 67 | 49 | 127 | 148 | 94 | 69 | 323 | 455 | 268 | 154 | 69 | 37 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 12 | SW 18 | SW 12 | SW 12 | S 11 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 22 | SW 21 | SW 20 | SW 20 | N 9 | N 8 | SW 13 | N 9 | SSW 12 | SW 12 |
61 | 42 | 161 | 147 | 144 | 21 | 47 | 20 | 8 | 17 | 17 | 47 | 116 | 106 | 388 | 6 | 5 | 162 | 14 | 57 | 37 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | — | — | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | — | SSE 8 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 71 | 92 | 94 | — | — | 98 | 140 | — | 192 | 115 | 132 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 976 | 1252 | 1 | 977 | 977 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1237 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 94 | 94 | 983 | 1075 | 1252 | 1032 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Galapagos - San Cristobal | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Ecuador | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Latest Updates
Information about the El Canyon Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for El Canyon provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at El Canyon can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our El Canyon 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 Canyon) 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 Canyon 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 Galapagos - San Cristobal? If you are looking for accommodation near El Canyon, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Galapagos - San Cristobal, consider staying in Galapagos Islands which is 3 km (2 miles) away. Other places in and around Galapagos - San Cristobal where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include San Cristobal which is 52 km (32 miles) away and Bahia de la Academia, 79 km (49 miles) away.











