Surf Forecasts:
El Medano surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 14s period, SSW swell with 449 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 15s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for El Medano this week:
The surf forecast for El Medano over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 4s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at El Medano in the next 16 days are 1.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 8s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Medano over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's break down what's cookin' at El Medano.
Truth is, the pickin's are slim. We've got one sweet little window, and then the wind just wrecks everything for weeks. That persistent cross-onshore breeze is the story, and it ain't a good one for a guy looking to paddle.
The only real standout is this Sunday afternoon, August 16th. El Medano is gonna get a clean 2ft SSW groundswell with a super long 16 second period. The wave energy is moderate (320), and the real deal is the glassy 5 km/h ENE wind. That's an absolute gift. It's small, but it'll be perfect, clean little waves for the beginner crew or anyone who just wants a fun, easy session. The water's about 74°, right on average for the season.
Here's the downer. From Monday morning the 17th on through the end of the month, it's a long, grim outlook. Swell hangs around, swinging from SSW to weak short-period NE windswell, but it's constantly hammered by those cross-onshore winds. The energy gets strong (over 400 at one point), but it's all blown-out chop. With that wind and surf mix, this spot starts looking like a kiteboarding zone, not a surfer's dream. There's just nothing else in the guidance that's consistent enough to get excited about.
Bottom line: You've got one golden, glassy chance on Sunday the 16th. After that, it's a long blank stretch with nothing but messy, windy conditions for the next two weeks.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sun afternoon, min 22°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Fri afternoon, min 23°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, fresh winds from the ENE by Fri afternoon). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 276 | 176 | 353 | 237 | 301 | 247 | 184 | 149 | 357 | 296 | 376 | 277 | 181 | 449 | 366 | 351 | 239 | 181 | 135 | 95 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 4:35PM2.00m | 4:57AM1.77m | 5:12PM1.82m | 5:34AM1.66m | 5:51PM1.63m | 6:14AM1.53m | 6:37PM1.44m | 7:07AM1.40m | 7:42PM1.28m | 8:26AM1.32m | 9:25PM1.22m | 10:09AM1.33m | 11:00PM1.27m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:47PM0.18m | 10:55AM0.28m | 11:22PM0.33m | 11:35AM0.42m | 11:58PM0.49m | 12:20PM0.57m | 00:42AM0.63m | 1:22PM0.70m | 1:49AM0.75m | 3:02PM0.76m | 3:34AM0.79m | 4:47PM0.71m | ||||||||
 |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — |
 | 8:44 | — | — | 8:43 | — | — | 8:42 | — | — | 8:40 | — | — | 8:39 | — | — | 8:38 | — | — | 8:37 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 24 |
Feels °C | 27 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 276 | 126 | 353 | 237 | 301 | 247 | 184 | 137 | 357 | 296 | 376 | 277 | 181 | 449 | 366 | 351 | 239 | 181 | 135 | 95 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 9 | SSW 18 | NNE 7 | NNE 10 | NNE 10 | NE 9 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | NW 8 | SSW 12 | NE 10 | S 16 | S 16 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | NE 4 | NW 8 | WNW 10 | NE 6 | NE 6 |
| kJ | 8 | 176 | 5 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 96 | 149 | 3 | 56 | 25 | 134 | 181 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 6 | 19 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 10 | SSW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NNE 8 | N 8 | NE 9 | NW 8 | N 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NNE 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 10 | N 13 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 |
| kJ | 2 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 8 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | ENE 4 | NE 4 | ENE 4 | ENE 4 | NE 3 | ENE 4 | NE 3 | NE 4 | ENE 4 | NNE 4 | NE 4 | ENE 4 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NNE 8 | NE 5 | NE 5 | ENE 4 | NNE 7 |
| kJ | 36 | 32 | 8 | 20 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 5 | 12 | 16 | 9 | 80 | 71 | 17 | 15 | 78 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 19 | 11 | 19 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 19 | 11 | 11 | 19 | 11 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Tenerife | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Spain (Africa) | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the El Medano Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for El Medano provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at El Medano can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our El Medano 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 Medano) 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 Medano 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.
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