Surf Forecasts:
El Zonte surf forecast from 27 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 27 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 17s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 18s period, SSW swell with 1,837 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 27 Jul, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 17s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for El Zonte this week:
The surf forecast for El Zonte over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 20s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 7s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at El Zonte in the next 16 days are 1.7m 18s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 01) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Mon 27th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Zonte over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let's break down the next couple of weeks at El Zonte.
We've got a solid run of groundswell to start, kicking off on Monday, July 27th. The water's about 85.8°, which is totally normal for the season.
The real standout is the Monday morning session. El Zonte is a reef, point and rivermouth break that's open to the SSW swell, and it's picking up a clean 5-foot swell from the SSW with a very long period of 18 seconds. The energy in the water is strong, with a combined reading of 1524, and with glassy conditions and a light SSE breeze, it's going to be absolutely cranking. This is a serious groundswell with that long period, so it'll be lining up beautifully on the point and reef, but it's definitely for advanced surfers only. The crowds can be around sometimes, but with that quality, it's worth the company.
Tuesday morning, July 28th, the swell pushes up to 5.6 feet, still a very long 18 seconds from the SSW, and the energy is even stronger at 1878. The wind is light and cross-onshore though, so it won't be as clean as Monday, but still plenty of power. The rest of the week sees the swell slowly drop, with Thursday and Friday mornings, July 30th and 31st, offering fun, glassy conditions on smaller 4-foot to 4.3-foot SSW swell. The energy drops to moderate levels, but clean lines will be there.
There's a bit of a lull over the first weekend of August, with only small, glassy surf in the mornings around 2.3 feet to 3 feet. The energy is dropping. It's rideable, but nothing to get too excited about.
The second week looks quieter overall. There are a few glimmers, like the morning of Friday, August 7th, where a 2.3-foot SSW groundswell with an 18-second period and glassy conditions pops up. And Saturday, August 8th morning is similar, with 3.3-foot SSW swell at 16 seconds and glassy conditions. These are promising but less certain this far out. The wind looks favourable from the NE on a few mornings, giving clean conditions, but the swell size is modest.
The best of the lot is Monday morning, July 27th. Don't sleep on it.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 30°C on Mon morning, min 26°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 31°C on Fri morning, min 27°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 18 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1448 | 1111 | 1508 | 1837 | 1796 | 1408 | 1373 | 1112 | 905 | 691 | 682 | 515 | 493 | 362 | 346 | 290 | 286 | 260 | 142 | 169 | 309 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-on | on | off | glassy | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 1:12PM1.82m | 1:49AM1.57m | 1:59PM1.88m | 2:34AM1.67m | 2:42PM1.93m | 3:16AM1.76m | 3:22PM1.96m | 3:54AM1.85m | 4:01PM1.97m | 4:31AM1.92m | 4:38PM1.95m | 5:07AM1.98m | 5:16PM1.91m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:46PM0.44m | 7:42AM0.55m | 8:28PM0.37m | 8:28AM0.49m | 9:07PM0.31m | 9:12AM0.44m | 9:43PM0.27m | 9:53AM0.41m | 10:17PM0.25m | 10:33AM0.38m | 10:51PM0.24m | 11:12AM0.36m | 11:25PM0.25m | ||||||||
 | |  |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | |  | | | | | | |
 | 5:41 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — |
 | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | 6 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Temp °C | 30 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 |
Feels °C | 33 | 32 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 31 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 30 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 31 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 1448 | 1111 | 1508 | 1837 | 1796 | 1408 | 1373 | 1112 | 905 | 691 | 682 | 515 | 493 | 362 | 346 | 290 | 286 | 260 | 142 | 119 | 309 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | SW 16 | SE 6 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SE 6 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 6 | W 10 | SE 7 | SE 6 | S 7 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SE 6 |
| kJ | 28 | 477 | 26 | 38 | 52 | 11 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 27 | 14 | 18 | 46 | 13 | 9 | 57 | 23 | 134 | 169 | 15 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | SE 7 | S 8 | SW 9 | SSW 11 | SSW 9 | S 9 | W 10 | W 10 | W 11 | W 10 | W 11 | S 7 | W 10 | SSW 6 | ESE 5 | SW 16 | SSW 8 | S 8 | SE 7 | SSE 7 |
| kJ | 48 | 55 | 22 | 3 | 24 | 25 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 21 | 19 | 35 | 8 | 17 | 8 | 5 | 41 | 13 | 12 | 29 | 10 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 7 | — | — | SSW 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 24 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 324 | 0 | 7 | 370 | 0 | 41 | 349 | 0 | 0 | 352 | 0 | 0 | 324 | 0 | 0 | 349 | 0 | 0 | 358 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in El-Salvador - Costa del Balsamo | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in El Salvador | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the El Zonte Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for El Zonte provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at El Zonte can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our El Zonte 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 Zonte) 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 Zonte 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 Zonte is 13 km (8 miles) from the city of La Libertad. If you plan a holiday in El-Salvador - Costa del Balsamo, look for hotels and other accommodation in La Libertad. La Libertad has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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