Surf Forecasts:
El Cardon surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 14 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 17s period, SW swell with 499 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 16s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for El Cardon this week:
The surf forecast for El Cardon over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at El Cardon in the next 16 days are 0.9m 17s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 14) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Fri 14th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Cardon over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, I'm Rusty. Let's have a look at what's on the table for El Cardon. This is a consistent point break, exposed to the west swell, but the truth is, the whole 16-day window is pretty grim. We're looking at a long stretch of poor surf conditions, with hardly a moment that's worth paddling out for. The water is sitting at 73°, which is 5° warmer than the long-term average for this time of year—definitely feels like a warm bath out there, but it won't make up for the lack of waves.
The forecast kicks off with nothing on offer for the first few days. It's not until the morning of August 25th that we get a hint of something, but even that's barely a glimmer. The swell is tiny, only 2 ft from the SW, with a period of 16 seconds—that's a long-period groundswell, but with that height, it's just not generating any power. The combined wave energy is a weak 201, and it's only rated as marginal due to tide. The wind is light from the SSW and onshore, so it's not completely wind-blown, but it's still messy. The best moment in the entire run might be the morning of the 27th of August, with a slightly bigger 3 ft SW swell at 15 seconds, and the combined energy climbs to 399—still moderate at best. The wind is light from the WSW, cross-onshore, and the surf is still described as marginal. Honestly, it's not a standout, it's just the least poor option.
For the rest of the period, we're stuck with cross-onshore winds, mostly from the W or WNW, with choppy, small surf. The swell size rarely breaks 2 ft, and the period is often long, but the wind just ruins it. The crowds at El Cardon can be an issue sometimes, but with conditions this poor, that won't be a problem. There's just no quality surf to chase here. This is a blank run for the area—nothing to get excited about, and it's going to take a change in the weather pattern to turn things around. Keep the board waxed and hope the forecasts shift.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed morning, min 18°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sat afternoon, min 19°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WNW 7 | SW 16 | SSW 14 | SW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
163 | 127 | 203 | 198 | 198 | 174 | 255 | 249 | 386 | 367 | 362 | 353 | 251 | 251 | 214 | 162 | 162 | 132 | 132 | 140 | 186 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 9:53AM1.98m | 9:17PM2.61m | 10:24AM2.06m | 9:59PM2.49m | 10:55AM2.12m | 10:39PM2.29m | 11:24AM2.15m | 11:19PM2.05m | 11:53AM2.15m | 11:59PM1.79m | 12:23PM2.12m | 00:43AM1.54m | 12:55PM2.06m | 1:44AM1.33m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:08PM0.85m | 4:05AM0.05m | 3:53PM0.77m | 4:36AM0.19m | 4:37PM0.73m | 5:04AM0.38m | 5:22PM0.74m | 5:28AM0.58m | 6:09PM0.78m | 5:48AM0.79m | 7:02PM0.85m | 6:02AM0.97m | 8:12PM0.92m | ||||||||
6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
— | 7:20 | — | — | 7:19 | — | — | 7:17 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:14 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 24 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 21 |
Feels °C | 25 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 23 | 20 | 19 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 6 | SW 14 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | SW 14 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 |
163 | 127 | 203 | 198 | 198 | 174 | 255 | 249 | 386 | 367 | 362 | 353 | 50 | 251 | 121 | 96 | 162 | 128 | 82 | 60 | 60 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 4 | SW 13 | WNW 5 | WNW 10 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WNW 5 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | SW 14 | WNW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | W 12 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 14 | SW 15 |
7 | 45 | 13 | 9 | 60 | 133 | 169 | 169 | 43 | 29 | 12 | 13 | 251 | 17 | 214 | 162 | 3 | 132 | 132 | 140 | 186 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | SW 21 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 12 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | S 7 | S 7 | WNW 13 | W 10 | W 11 | W 12 | NW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 8 | SW 20 |
44 | 8 | 10 | 18 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 14 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 17 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 68 | 67 | 3 | 15 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 4 | — | WNW 5 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | — | — | WNW 7 | — | — | — | — |
— | 13 | — | 7 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 14 | 19 | 44 | 48 | 59 | 88 | 72 | — | — | 114 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 355 | 355 | 196 | 355 | 355 | 355 | 355 | 355 | 213 | 355 | 410 | 355 | 355 | 446 | 355 | 355 | 355 | 355 | 494 | 355 | 355 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Baja Norte | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Mexico | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the El Cardon Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for El Cardon provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at El Cardon can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our El Cardon 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 Cardon) 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 Cardon 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 Baja Norte? If you are looking for accommodation near El Cardon, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Baja Norte, consider staying in Santa Isabel which is 123 km (76 miles) away.











