El Tizate Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you: the next couple of weeks at El Tizate are going to be a test of patience, not a celebration of big waves. We’ve got a whole lot of small, unremarkable surf on the menu, with the odd moment where things line up just enough to make it worth a paddle. The good news is the water is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year – about 88° – so even if the waves aren’t firing, you won’t be freezing your arse off waiting for a set.

Looking at the whole run, there’s no real stand-out day that’s going to have you calling in sick. The swell energy is mostly weak to moderate, and we’re dealing with a lot of those “surfable but very ordinary” conditions. The first few days are a write-off. Tuesday afternoon kicks things off with a meager 3ft of west swell, but it’s cross-on and messy – the energy reading is only 125, which is weak. Not worth getting wet for, unless you’re desperate.

Wednesday morning, September 9th, is a different story – glassy as, with a long-period 16-second SW groundswell pushing 2ft. The energy bumps up to 194, and with zero wind, it’s clean, but tiny. This is the kind of morning you take the foamie out for a few soft ones. The long period means it might be a bit straight at this beach setup, but for the size, you’ll get a few. Afternoon brings a risk of thunderstorms and onshore wind, so that window is strictly a morning affair.

Thursday the 10th is similar – glassy mornings with 3ft of SW swell, period still 16 seconds. Energy climbs to 327, which is moderate. This is probably the most consistent, cleanest window we get in the first week. Thursday morning and afternoon both look surfable, with light air and glass. It’s not going to bowl, but for a fun, cruisy session on a longboard, this is your best bet. Crowds are possible here, so get in early.

Friday the 11th drops right off – 1ft and weak (energy 22). Not worth the drive. Saturday the 12th comes back a little with 2ft of SW, but it’s still “ordinary.” The energy is moderate (230), and the morning is glassy, so if you’re jonesing, it’s a go, but keep expectations low. Sunday the 13th is more of the same, 2ft SW, glassy morning, energy 181.

The pattern is clear: small SW groundswell pulses, clean mornings, and onshore afternoons that kill it. Monday the 14th has 1ft of SW with an 18-second period – that’s a long-period swell, so it’ll be lined up but fat. Energy is weak (136). Then we hit a flat patch from Tuesday the 15th through to Thursday the 17th, with hardly any energy (31, 7, 77, 12) and swell dropping to 0.3-1ft. That’s a three-day gap where you’re better off doing something else.

Things start to get a little more interesting heading into the second week. Friday the 18th brings back 2ft of SW with a 19-second period, and the morning is calm and glassy. Energy is 187. Still small, but clean. Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th see a slight bump to 2ft, with glassy mornings and energy around 207 and 190. Then Monday the 21st is the pick of the whole run, in my opinion. We get 3ft of SW swell, period 17 seconds, and the morning is glassy with a light breeze. The combined energy hits 363, which is solidly moderate. This is the one morning where you might get a few corners, nothing special, but the best of the bunch. It’s still surfable but very ordinary – don’t expect a circus. Tuesday the 22nd is similar, 3ft SW, energy 319, but with a risk of t-storms in the afternoon, so again, dawn patrol.

After that, it fades out. Wednesday the 23rd is back to 1ft and weak. So, to sum it up: don’t get too excited. The standout windows are Thursday morning the 10th and Monday morning the 21st – both offer 3ft of SW swell with clean, glassy conditions. The long periods (16-19 seconds) mean the energy is there, but at a beach break, it might not translate into the best shape. El Tizate is inconsistent and sheltered, so it doesn’t take much to shut it down. If you’re a beginner, these small days are actually fine, nothing over 5ft at all. For anyone else, it’s a grovel. Keep the expectations low, the wax fresh, and enjoy the warm water.

Rusty.

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