
Surf Forecasts:
Chicama - El Cape / Keys surf forecast from 10 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 16s period, SW swell with 644 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Chicama - El Cape / Keys this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Chicama - El Cape / Keys in the next 16 days are 1.1m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.1m 11s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (-05) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chicama - El Cape / Keys over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. And, well, I’ve gotta be straight with you—this 16-day window for Chicama - El Cape / Keys is a tough one. Right from the get-go, the wind is locking in from the wrong quarter, and it doesn’t let up. Every single day is showing onshore wind, with the water temp at a balmy 71°, which is a whopping 7° warmer than it should be for this time of year—so your wettie can stay at home, but don’t expect any clean lines.
The entire outlook is plagued by poor surf conditions, so there’s no standout day, no single session to rush for. The first record rolls in on Wednesday, September 9, with a modest 3ft of SW groundswell running a long 17-second period, but the 16 mph SSE onshore has it chopped to bits. The combined energy is moderate at 814, but it’s wasted. That same story plays out day after day through to Thursday, September 24. The swell stays small, never cracking 4ft, and the wind never shifts to offshore; it’s just a constant southerly breeze smearing everything out. There are gaps of no fun at all—just a solid fortnight of onshore slop.
Sure, the swell direction does match the spot’s optimum SW, and there’s some decent period in the mix early on, like that 17-second pulse on the 9th and an 18-second one on Monday the 14th, but the wind ruins it. Even the cleanest-looking morning on Friday the 11th with a light 6 mph SSW breeze is still an onshore, so you’re fighting the chop. The break is a point, which normally handles longer-period groundswell beautifully, but with these winds, it’s a write-off.
Forget picking a “best” day here—there isn’t one. If you’re determined, the smallest winds and biggest periods might give you a slightly less messy wave on the 11th morning, but I’d save my energy. This stretch is a blank run, and for this area, that’s just how it goes sometimes. Keep an eye on the charts, because it tends not to stay poor forever. Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Wed afternoon, min 20°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat afternoon, min 19°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | ||||||||||||||
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 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
414 | 376 | 628 | 418 | 407 | 341 | 223 | 224 | 187 | 219 | 213 | 173 | 198 | 164 | 159 | 366 | 310 | 489 | 365 | 346 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 3:54AM1.44m | 4:01PM1.23m | 4:30AM1.46m | 4:44PM1.28m | 5:04AM1.44m | 5:25PM1.30m | 5:36AM1.38m | 6:04PM1.28m | 6:06AM1.29m | 6:43PM1.24m | 6:36AM1.18m | 7:23PM1.17m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:29PM0.12m | 10:17AM0.25m | 10:12PM0.12m | 10:52AM0.19m | 10:52PM0.15m | 11:25AM0.16m | 11:30PM0.21m | 11:57AM0.15m | 00:08AM0.29m | 12:28PM0.18m | 00:44AM0.38m | 12:59PM0.23m | 1:21AM0.48m | |||||||
— | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | |
6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:14 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
Feels °C | 21 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 19 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | SW 14 | S 8 | SW 15 | S 8 | S 8 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 18 | S 8 | SW 18 | S 8 | S 8 | SW 15 | SW 14 |
414 | 218 | 206 | 418 | 251 | 212 | 218 | 208 | 168 | 128 | 90 | 89 | 87 | 155 | 149 | 366 | 173 | 144 | 365 | 346 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | NW 11 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WSW 18 | SW 21 | WSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 11 | WSW 15 | SW 10 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 12 | SW 24 |
205 | 376 | 628 | 5 | 407 | 341 | 31 | 18 | 27 | 43 | 95 | 57 | 80 | 60 | 86 | 37 | 310 | 489 | 3 | 22 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | W 12 | NW 11 | SW 20 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 11 | WNW 11 | WSW 21 | SW 21 | NW 11 | W 11 | W 10 | S 11 | SW 18 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | W 12 | SW 24 | W 12 |
3 | 3 | 5 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 44 | 17 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 159 | 17 | 67 | 3 | 23 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 8 | — | S 8 | — | — | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | — | S 8 | — | — | S 8 | S 8 |
192 | 201 | — | 251 | — | — | 223 | 224 | 187 | 219 | 213 | 173 | 198 | 164 | — | 165 | — | — | 144 | 140 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 563 | 2 | 56 | 493 | 2 | 2 | 563 | 257 | 99 | 563 | 2 | 56 | 563 | 56 | 2 | 563 | 56 | 2 | 99 | 2 |
Best forecast wave conditions in La Libertad and Lambayeque | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Chicama - El Cape / Keys Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Chicama - El Cape / Keys provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Chicama - El Cape / Keys can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Chicama - El Cape / Keys 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 (Chicama - El Cape / Keys) 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 Chicama - El Cape / Keys 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.
Chicama - El Cape / Keys is 18 km (11 miles) from Paijan. If you plan a holiday in La Libertad and Lambayeque, look for hotels and other accommodation in Paijan. Paijan has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










