Surf Forecasts:
El Chanquete surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period, E swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 3 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period, E swell with 173 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 3 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period with E 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 (Sep 03) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at El Chanquete in the next 16 days are 1.4m 7s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 03) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Chanquete over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Rightio, Rusty here. Gotta be straight with you – this is a tough stretch. We’ve got a long dry spell ahead, so don’t bother paddling out just yet. The first real chance of waves doesn’t show up until Thursday, September 4th, and even then it’s only just surfable. From now until then, it’s flat or near-flat, with maybe a few knee-high wobbles that aren’t worth the wetsuit.
Let’s start with what’s on offer. The first day with any real energy is Thursday, September 4th. Early morning at El Chanquete (beach and reef) we’ve got a weak 3ft easterly swell creeping in from the ESE, with a period of 6 seconds, giving us a combined wave energy of just 40 – that’s weak, really weak. The wind’s glassy though, and that’s about the only thing going for it. It’s a beginner-friendly spot, but honestly, it’s poor. By Friday morning, September 5th, we see a bump up to 4ft from the east, period still 6 seconds, and the energy climbs to 146 – still modest. The wind stays glassy again, so it’ll look clean, but the quality is very ordinary. That’s about as good as it gets in this first week.
Then we hit another gap. From Saturday afternoon, September 6th, right through to Thursday, September 11th, it’s flat or near-flat with tiny 0.7ft to 1ft dribble and no real energy. Don’t even bother.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting – and a bit dangerous. On the morning of Friday, September 11th, we get a proper pulse. Swell jumps to 8ft from the east, period stretches to 9 seconds, and the combined wave energy hits 1010 – that’s strong. The wind is glassy, so it’ll look clean, but the guidance says it’s too big for this break. That’s expert-only territory. The swell direction is east, and the optimum swell direction for El Chanquete is SE, so it’s off-angle too. This wave energy is legit (1010), but the break can’t handle it. Saturday, September 12th, sees similar conditions: 8ft in the morning, 8ft in the afternoon, period up to 10 seconds, energy still huge (1384 and 1193), but again, it’s too big for this spot. Only for very experienced surfers who know the break inside out.
Water temperature on the first morning we mention (Friday, August 28th) is 67°, and the anomaly is -3° – that’s over 3 degrees colder than usual for this time of year. That’s very unusual, so you’ll want a thicker wetsuit.
Overall, if you’re a beginner or intermediate, stay home until the second week. Even the standout days around the 11th and 12th are only for the brave and the skilled.
Signing off,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Fri afternoon, min 21°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Tue afternoon, min 23°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | |||||||||||||||
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 | SW 4 | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | W 5 | — | W 7 | — | — | — | E 5 | E 5 | E 5 | E 5 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | E 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 18 | 40 | 0 | 145 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | glassy | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 4:43PM0.69m | 4:48AM0.68m | 5:12PM0.70m | 5:21AM0.68m | 5:42PM0.70m | 5:54AM0.67m | 6:13PM0.69m | 6:29AM0.64m | 6:45PM0.67m | 7:09AM0.61m | 7:22PM0.65m | 7:55AM0.57m | 8:07PM0.61m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:42AM0.14m | 9:56PM0.19m | 10:10AM0.13m | 10:28PM0.16m | 10:41AM0.12m | 11:01PM0.15m | 11:13AM0.13m | 11:37PM0.15m | 11:47AM0.16m | 00:15AM0.17m | 12:24PM0.20m | 00:58AM0.20m | 1:06PM0.24m | 1:51AM0.24m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:43 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — | 7:48 | — | — |
 | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:50 | — | — | 8:49 | — | — | 8:47 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:43 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 29 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 25 |
Feels °C | 24 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 27 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 5 | — | — | SW 4 | W 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | W 5 | — | W 7 | — | — | — | E 5 | E 5 | E 5 | E 5 | ESE 6 | — | E 6 |
| kJ | 9 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 18 | 40 | — | 86 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 7 | — | W 5 | E 6 | W 6 | W 6 | E 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 6 | W 7 | W 5 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 9 | E 7 | E 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 3 | SW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 6 | ESE 6 | E 7 |
| kJ | 1 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 89 | 54 | 145 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 171 | 268 | 137 | 137 | 748 | 205 | 205 | 749 | 346 | 205 | 748 | 205 | 636 | 748 | 346 | 231 | 748 | 205 | 11 | 373 | 0 |
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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