Surf Forecasts:
El Chanquete surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 6s period, WSW swell with 140 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s period with WSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for El Chanquete this week:
The surf forecast for El Chanquete over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 6s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at El Chanquete in the next 16 days are 1.5m 6s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Chanquete over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break it down in feet and miles per hour. It’s a grim outlook for El Chanquete – a real flat spell. From now through the next 16 days, there’s just no proper swell to get excited about. We’re talking days of nothing, then tiny bumps that barely move the needle.
The water temperature is 81°F – much warmer than usual for this time of year, over 7° above the long-term average. That’s very unusual, but warm water doesn’t make waves.
The first few days, Thursday the 20th through to Monday the 24th, are flat or nearly flat. Combined swell energy is zero or single-digit values – basically nothing. A few glassy mornings show up, like Saturday the 22nd with a tiny 1 to 2ft swell, but it’s too weak and short-period (4 seconds) to be worth your time. You’ll see a ripple, but don’t paddle out for it.
Monday afternoon the 24th brings a little bump of about 2ft from the SW at 4 seconds, but with onshore wind and mess, it’s not quality.
Mid-week, Wednesday the 26th has a 2ft WSW swell with a bit more energy (16), but still short period and cross-shore wind – not worth the drive.
By early September, we’re still stuck. The best showing is Thursday the 27th afternoon, with 3ft from the WSW and a period of 5 seconds, combined energy of 33. It’s clean with cross-offshore wind. That’s the most surfable moment, but honestly, 3ft at 5 seconds is barely knee-high dribble. For a beginner, you could ride it, but for anyone else, it’s frustrating.
After that, it’s back to tiny stuff – 2ft or less, glassy at times, but no power. The weekend of the 30th has about 1ft from the E with a light offshore wind in the morning, but again, short period and low energy.
Bottom line: there’s no standout here. No day to tell a mate to rush down. If you’re desperate, the cleanest little windows are Saturday morning the 29th with 2ft from the E and glassy conditions, or the 30th morning with a light offshore. But that’s not surf – that’s a floating session. For a beach and reef setup like this, with such weak, short-period swell, it’s more of a paddle and tan situation.
The combined swell energy never gets past 33 (weak) throughout the whole 16 days. This is a rough run for El Chanquete.
The water’s warm and the weather’s clear most days, so if you just want to float, go for it. But waves? Not this time.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Thu afternoon, min 23°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Mon night, min 23°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 5 | WSW 4 | SW 6 | SW 5 | SW 4 | WSW 5 | WSW 4 | SW 4 | WSW 4 | SW 4 | — | — | E 7 | SW 4 | E 6 | E 6 | SW 4 | E 5 | WSW 4 | SW 4 | E 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 0 | 40 | 75 | 0 | 21 | 24 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 15 | 9 | 1 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | on | cross-off | cross-off | on | glassy | cross | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:19AM0.51m | 9:35PM0.55m | 10:34AM0.48m | 10:50PM0.53m | 12:15PM0.48m | 00:21AM0.53m | 1:36PM0.51m | 1:34AM0.56m | 2:27PM0.56m | 2:24AM0.59m | 3:06PM0.60m | 3:05AM0.63m | 3:40PM0.64m | 3:41AM0.66m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:03PM0.33m | 3:22AM0.33m | 3:11PM0.37m | 5:47AM0.33m | 5:34PM0.38m | 7:08AM0.30m | 7:05PM0.36m | 7:49AM0.27m | 7:50PM0.33m | 8:19AM0.23m | 8:24PM0.29m | 8:46AM0.20m | 8:54PM0.25m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  |  |  | | |
 | 7:37 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:01 | — | — | 9:00 | — | — | 9:00 | — | 8:59 | — | — | 8:57 | — | — | 8:55 | — | — | 8:54 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 31 | 31 |
Feels °C | 27 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 5 | — | — | SW 5 | — | SW 5 | SW 4 | SW 4 | WSW 4 | SW 4 | — | — | — | E 6 | SW 5 | SW 4 | — | — | SW 4 | E 6 | WSW 6 |
| kJ | 15 | — | — | 27 | — | 11 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 3 | 28 | 5 | — | — | 4 | 1 | 103 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 7 | — | — | — | — | E 7 | W 9 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | E 6 | — | E 6 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | — | — | — | W 8 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WSW 4 | SW 6 | — | SW 4 | WSW 5 | WSW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 3 | SW 4 | NNW 2 | NNW 2 | SW 4 | — | WSW 4 | SW 4 | WSW 6 |
| kJ | — | 40 | 75 | — | 21 | 24 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | 15 | 9 | 256 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 404 | 404 | 197 | 229 | 685 | 323 | 335 | 404 | 278 | 373 | 636 | 294 | 385 | 409 | 155 | 155 | 404 | 346 | 405 | 742 | 338 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Andalucia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Spain (Europe) | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the El Chanquete Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for El Chanquete provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at El Chanquete can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our El Chanquete 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 Chanquete) 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 Chanquete 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 Chanquete is 6 km (4 miles) from Malaga. If you plan a holiday in Andalucia, look for hotels and other accommodation in Malaga. Malaga has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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