Surf Forecasts:
Chicama - El Cape / Keys surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 10s period, SSW swell with 551 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 1.7m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (-05) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chicama - El Cape / Keys over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s in store for the next two weeks.
Alright, it’s a bit of a quiet start, folks. For the first nine days, from Wednesday the 19th through to Thursday the 27th, the waves at Chicama - El Cape / Keys are pretty ordinary. A whole lotta onshore wind and 'poor surf conditions' mean I'd be looking elsewhere. There is some swell around, but that wind just kills it. The combined wave energy is moderate at best (around 1029 on the first day), but the setup just isn't there for a paddle.
That water is sitting at a toasty 72°F, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year – a solid 8°F above the long-term average, so a wetsuit is optional.
Now, things start to look a bit more interesting towards the end of the run. You have to be patient, but keep your eyes on Friday the 28th through Tuesday the 1st of September. The standout period is that whole weekend, particularly the Friday morning.
For the main event, we look at Friday the 28th of August, early. For the first time in this forecast, the wind goes light and cross-onshore, and we get a bit of a pulse. Swell is swinging around to the west-southwest at 5 ft, with a very long period of 18 seconds. That's proper groundswell. The combined energy jumps right up (1632 – that's strong energy). Now, that long period will make it a bit walled-up and straight at a beach break, but for a point like this, it could be beautifully lined-up. The problem is the score is only marginal, so it’s a gamble. But if you manage to get it with that light wind, it's got potential. After that, the onshore wind comes back in the afternoon.
Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th still have good energy (1453 and 885) with 6 ft to 5 ft swells from the SW, but it's onshore. Not a full standout, but a sight better than the first week.
For that first real glimpse of clean surf, it’s that Friday morning. It's an option if you're desperate and the wind plays ball. Otherwise, the whole first week is a write-off. Truly a tale of two halves.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Thu afternoon, min 19°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSE on Wed afternoon, light winds from the SE by Thu night). | 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 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 12 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 955 | 579 | 391 | 391 | 380 | 281 | 235 | 177 | 113 | 108 | 162 | 155 | 147 | 132 | 91 | 132 | 77 | 102 | 97 | 101 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on |
High Tide | 9:58PM0.98m | 9:16AM0.94m | 11:23PM0.94m | 10:22AM0.86m | 00:56AM0.96m | 11:55AM0.83m | 2:04AM1.01m | 1:14PM0.85m | 2:49AM1.08m | 2:10PM0.91m | 3:23AM1.16m | 2:53PM0.97m | 3:52AM1.24m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:31AM0.66m | 4:04PM0.43m | 5:10AM0.73m | 5:25PM0.46m | 7:30AM0.71m | 6:54PM0.43m | 8:34AM0.65m | 7:56PM0.37m | 9:11AM0.59m | 8:40PM0.31m | 9:41AM0.53m | 9:16PM0.25m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — |
 | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
Feels °C | 18 | 17 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 9 | SW 15 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SW 12 | S 8 | SW 18 | SW 17 | S 8 | SW 16 | SW 16 | S 9 | S 9 | SW 14 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 28 | 83 | 391 | 60 | 380 | 281 | 235 | 177 | 113 | 52 | 80 | 155 | 147 | 29 | 91 | 122 | 36 | 95 | 97 | 101 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | W 14 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 16 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 10 | SW 9 |
| kJ | 41 | 58 | 32 | 4 | 64 | 103 | 96 | 85 | 58 | 94 | 162 | 32 | 45 | 132 | 40 | 37 | 77 | 102 | 24 | 22 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 16 | W 10 | SW 12 | SW 16 | SW 13 | SW 21 | SW 21 | WSW 20 | SW 19 | W 13 | SW 12 | W 13 | W 12 | SW 11 | SW 13 | W 12 | SW 10 | SW 10 | SW 20 | WSW 19 |
| kJ | 5 | 2 | 23 | 41 | 7 | 18 | 17 | 38 | 96 | 3 | 50 | 3 | 3 | 43 | 7 | 3 | 36 | 35 | 15 | 36 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | — | SSW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | S 8 | — | S 8 | S 8 | S 4 | S 8 | S 8 | S 5 | — | S 9 | S 8 |
| kJ | 955 | 579 | — | 391 | — | — | — | — | — | 108 | — | 58 | 97 | 18 | 60 | 132 | 23 | — | 94 | 86 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 563 | 2 | 56 | 546 | 2 | 2 | 563 | 2 | 2 | 56 | 2 | 56 | 56 | 56 | 56 | 563 | 2 | 2 | 99 | 56 |
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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.
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