Surf Forecasts:
El Zonte surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 16s period, SW swell with 573 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 14s 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 (Aug 17) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 7s. 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 1.1m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 12AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 12AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Zonte over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk surf. This is Rusty, and for El Zonte, we’ve got a good run coming up. The first real waves show Monday morning, August 17th, and we’ll have surf pretty much all the way through to the start of September.
Monday morning, August 17th, is a beauty. The swell is 3 ft from the SW with a long period of 14 seconds – that’s solid groundswell. The wind is light at 3 mph from the N, offshore, keeping things clean. Water temp is about normal for the season. The energy is moderate (509), so you’ll feel it. This is a reef, point, and rivermouth break, so that long period will work well here. It’s a standout session to kick things off.
The big standout is Saturday morning, August 29th. The swell hits 4 ft from the SSW with a 16-second period. The wind is glassy, just a light air from the W. The energy is strong (1048) – you’ll feel the power. This is the best on offer for experienced surfers. It’s a bit too big for beginners, but for the crew who know what they’re doing, it’s going to be firing. The break is very consistent, so you’ll be busy. Expect some company, though, as it’s a popular spot.
The rest of the week is mixed. Tuesday morning, August 18th, is glassy with 4 ft SW swell, clean and inviting. Wednesday morning, August 19th, is another glassy morning with 3 ft SSW swell, but the afternoon turns onshore. We have a few good mornings, like Thursday, August 20th, with 2 ft SW swell and glassy conditions, but it’s weaker. Friday morning, August 21st, has a short period of 8 seconds, so the waves will be weaker and less organized.
There’s a lull around the 23rd and 24th with smaller swells and onshore winds. But then it picks up again. Friday morning, August 28th, has 3 ft SW swell with a 16-second period and glassy wind – a nice warm-up for the weekend. Sunday morning, August 30th, has 5 ft SSW swell, glassy, with strong energy (975) – another excellent call for the experienced crew.
The last few days, into Monday, August 31st and Tuesday, September 1st, hold 4 ft and 4 ft SSW swell, both with glassy mornings and good energy. It’s a solid way to wrap things up.
The ones to mark on your calendar: Saturday morning, August 29th, and Monday morning, August 17th. Those are the gems.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Wed morning, min 27°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 31°C on Thu morning, min 25°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 18 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 395 | 456 | 431 | 437 | 390 | 573 | 387 | 367 | 257 | 186 | 178 | 147 | 95 | 93 | 231 | 223 | 178 | 239 | 236 | 156 | 286 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-on | off | glassy | on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-on | off | glassy | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:04PM1.95m | 6:29AM2.11m | 6:48PM1.82m | 7:12AM2.00m | 7:33PM1.69m | 7:58AM1.88m | 8:22PM1.57m | 8:48AM1.78m | 9:17PM1.47m | 9:44AM1.71m | 10:21PM1.42m | 10:47AM1.68m | 11:29PM1.43m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:03PM0.20m | 00:11AM0.20m | 12:48PM0.29m | 00:52AM0.32m | 1:34PM0.40m | 1:35AM0.44m | 2:24PM0.50m | 2:22AM0.55m | 3:19PM0.58m | 3:15AM0.63m | 4:22PM0.62m | 4:18AM0.68m | 5:27PM0.62m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | | |  | | | |  | |  |  | | | | |  | | |
 | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — |
 | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:14 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 8 | — | 2 | 5 | — | 3 | 27 |
Temp °C | 31 | 30 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 32 | 29 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 26 | 30 | 30 | 26 |
Feels °C | 32 | 31 | 32 | 34 | 33 | 31 | 34 | 32 | 32 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 30 | 34 | 32 | 29 | 33 | 34 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SE 8 | SW 13 | S 8 | SE 7 | S 8 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 |
| kJ | 395 | 456 | 431 | 437 | 390 | 573 | 387 | 367 | 257 | 133 | 178 | 60 | 57 | 71 | 231 | 223 | 178 | 141 | 121 | 121 | 85 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | S 7 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SW 14 | S 8 | SSW 13 | S 8 | SE 6 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 18 |
| kJ | 93 | 96 | 88 | 76 | 98 | 76 | 68 | 85 | 69 | 186 | 48 | 147 | 57 | 40 | 193 | 133 | 168 | 239 | 236 | 156 | 286 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SE 6 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SE 6 | SSW 16 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SSW 19 | SE 7 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 21 | 21 | 20 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 52 | 81 | 49 | 36 | 37 | 31 | 95 | 93 | 12 | 105 | 17 | 19 | 148 | 34 | 149 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 7 | — | — | — | SE 6 | — | — | — | N 3 | E 5 | — | — | ESE 5 | S 3 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | 49 | — | — | — | 2 | 5 | — | — | 10 | 2 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 419 | 0 | 0 | 338 | 0 | 0 | 227 | 0 | 0 | 324 | 12 | 0 | 324 | 0 | 0 | 338 | 0 | 0 | 245 | 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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