Surf Forecasts:
El Palito surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 7s period, NE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 14 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period, NE swell with 227 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 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 13) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 7s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at El Palito in the next 16 days are 1.4m 8s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 14) 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 1.7m 8s period and expected on Friday (Aug 14) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (-04) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Fri 14th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Palito over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m looking at the surf outlook for our local area. Honestly, it’s a pretty grim picture for the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a long stretch of flat or near-flat conditions, and when there is a little bump, the wind is often making a mess of it.
The only named break we’ve got to work with here is El Palito, a beach and breakwater setup that’s best for beginners. It’s fairly consistent, but that doesn’t help much when the swell is missing. The water temp is sitting at 83°F, which is about 0.5°F warmer than average for this time of year, so nothing unusual there.
The first sign of any real energy doesn’t show up until Sunday the 16th. That morning, we see a weak 3ft NE swell at 8 seconds, but the wind is cross-onshore from the NE at 6 mph, so it’ll be choppy and poor. That little pulse fades quickly.
We do have a couple of interesting windows. Monday morning, the 17th, looks like the best shot in the whole 16 days. The wind goes glassy from the NW at 3 mph, and we’ve got a 3ft NE swell with a 10-second period. The combined swell energy is moderate at 138. That’s a clean little wave, perfect for a beginner on a longboard. It’s not big, but it’ll be the cleanest wave we see. Don’t expect much company; crowds are only “sometimes” here, so you might have it to yourself.
Tuesday morning, the 18th, offers a repeat with glassy conditions again from the NNW at 3 mph and a 3ft NE swell, though the period drops to 7 seconds and the energy is weaker at 67. Still, it’s clean enough for a paddle.
After that, it’s a long, flat dead zone. From Tuesday afternoon, the 18th, all the way through to the 27th of August, the swell is basically zero or the wind is ruining it. There are a few mornings with glassy or offshore winds, but with no swell height, there’s nothing to surf. The whole second week looks completely empty.
So, to sum it up: if you’re desperate, get out Monday the 17th or Tuesday the 18th for a glassy, knee-to-waist high wave at El Palito. For the rest of the run, leave your board at home. This is one of those blank runs that happens.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 31°C on Thu morning, min 26°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 30mm), heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 31°C on Mon afternoon, min 26°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 10 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 10 | N 10 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 47 | 35 | 53 | 160 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 145 | 117 | 114 | 80 | 138 | 89 | 0 | 65 | 4 | 2 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 00:47AM0.41m | 4:22PM0.20m | 1:46AM0.36m | 4:34PM0.24m | 3:01AM0.31m | 4:58PM0.28m | 4:29AM0.25m | 5:26PM0.31m | 5:45AM0.20m | 5:56PM0.33m | 6:51AM0.16m | 6:28PM0.34m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:52AM0.07m | 7:05PM0.18m | 9:13AM0.10m | 8:27PM0.19m | 9:30AM0.13m | 9:46PM0.18m | 9:43AM0.14m | 11:31PM0.17m | 9:49AM0.15m | 2:59AM0.13m | 9:45AM0.14m | 3:52AM0.09m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | |
6:52 | — | — | 6:51 | — | — | 6:51 | — | — | 6:51 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:49 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | 6 | 6 | 4 | 15 | 4 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 29 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 29 | 31 | 28 | 30 | 31 | 28 |
Feels °C | 32 | 31 | 34 | 33 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 32 | 30 | 30 | 33 | 34 | 32 | 34 | 34 | 33 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 10 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 6 |
38 | 47 | 35 | 53 | 160 | 270 | 276 | 264 | 233 | 235 | 145 | 117 | 114 | 80 | 138 | 89 | 118 | 65 | 77 | 49 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 14 | ENE 11 | — | NE 10 | — | N 10 | NE 10 | N 10 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 47 | — | 23 | — | 2 | 4 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 734 | 5 | 37 | 715 | 0 | 124 | 124 | 20 | 20 | 124 | 124 | 124 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 4 | 0 | 20 | 5 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Zona del Centro | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Venezuela | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











