El Palito Surf Break

Lat Long: 10.48° N 68.11° W

El Palito Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 pm 19 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's El Palito sea temperature is
28.4° C
0.4° 

El Palito surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


El Palito surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 7s period, NE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 7s period, NE swell with 86 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 7s period with NE swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for El Palito this week:

The surf forecast for El Palito over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 7s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at El Palito in the next 16 days are 1.0m 7s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 7s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (-04) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Thu 20th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 7s
Best Surf 5AM (Thu 20th Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 7s
Most Powerful 8AM (Sat 22nd Aug)3.5ft (1.0m) 7s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Palito over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, mates, Rusty here. Let's be straight with you—this forecast is a bit of a struggle. We're looking at a 16-day window that's mostly a write-off for decent waves. The surf comes in dribs and drabs, but it's plagued by bad wind and weak, short-period swell for the vast majority of it.

The only real flicker of hope comes right at the end of the period. We've got a massive gap with no real recommendations until the very last day. The water temperature at El Palito is sitting at 83°F, which is just about bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Alright, let's break it down. From Wednesday the 19th right through to Sunday the 30th of August, it's a grim run. We're seeing tiny swell heights, mostly around 3 ft, with a period of just 6 seconds. That's weak, short-period windswell, and the wave energy is pathetic, coming in below 100 (66). The wind is almost always cross-onshore or onshore, making the conditions choppy and nasty. Even on the morning of Sunday the 23rd, when we get a brief moment of glassy conditions, the swell is still tiny and weak—it's surfable, but don't get your hopes up.

This leads to a stretch of nine whole days with nothing worth paddling out for. The consistent nature of the poor conditions here is a bit of a bummer.

Now, let's talk about the standout—if you can call it that. On Monday the 31st of August, there's a spike in the data. The swell jumps to 3 ft, but the period extends to 12 seconds, which is a proper groundswell. The wave energy also jumps to 193 (moderate energy). It's coming from the NE, which is right on the money for the optimum direction at El Palito (NNE). The wind is a light cross-onshore, so it won't be clean, but it's the best we've got. Keep in mind this is a long-period swell, which can make it more powerful and give longer lulls between sets. It's a promising, but distant, highlight.

El Palito is a beach and breakwater setup, fairly exposed to the swell. It's a beginner-friendly spot, but it's also fairly inconsistent. Crowds are possible from time to time. Given the long run of poor wind and small swell, this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing for most of the period.

So, to sum it up: the next 12 days are a dud. The only real chance you've got is to keep an eye on that Monday the 31st of August. It's a long way off, but it's the only beacon in the fog.

This is Rusty, signing off.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Thu night. Warm (max 30°C on Wed afternoon, min 26°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Mon night. Warm (max 31°C on Sun morning, min 26°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
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
NE
6
1.1
NE
6
0.8
NE
6
1
NE
6
1
NE
6
1.1
NE
7
1.3
NE
7
1.2
NE
7
0.9
NE
7
0.9
NE
7
1
NE
6
0.8
NE
6
0.9
NE
6
1.1
NE
6
0.8
NE
6
1.1
NE
7
1.1
NE
7
0.8
NE
6
0.8
NE
6
1.2
NE
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
49
0
56
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
76
56
0
0
60
0
0
56
54
0
Wind (km/h)
15
ENE
10
SW
10
NNE
20
ENE
5
SW
5
NNE
25
ENE
5
SSE
10
NNE
15
ENE
10
SSW
5
NE
20
ENE
10
SW
10
NNE
20
ENE
5
SE
10
N
15
ENE
10
WSW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-off
on
cross-on
off
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
off
glassy
cross-on
off
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
7:03PM0.34m
7:39PM0.35m
8:18PM0.35m
8:58PM0.36m
9:38PM0.37m
10:18PM0.37m
10:59PM0.38m
Low Tide
4:34AM0.06m
5:13AM0.04m
5:49AM0.03m
6:25AM0.03m
6:58AM0.04m
7:30AM0.05m
part cloud
thunderstorm
part cloud
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
rain showers
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
clear
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
clear
thunderstorm
clear
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
clear
thunderstorm
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:22
6:22
6:22
6:22
6:22
6:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:49
6:47
6:47
6:46
6:46
6:45
6:45
 mm
2
1
5
1
1
3
2
4
2
1
5
1
2
Temp °C
30
28
29
28
28
30
30
28
29
29
27
31
30
27
30
29
27
30
30
27
Feels °C
32
32
32
30
31
34
32
32
32
32
30
35
33
31
33
32
30
34
33
31
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the El Palito Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for El Palito provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at El Palito can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our El Palito 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 Palito) 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 Palito 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 Palito is 1 km (1 miles) from the city of El Palito. If you plan a holiday in Zona del Centro, look for hotels and other accommodation in El Palito. El Palito has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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