
Surf Forecasts:
El Zunzal surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 9AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 24s period, SSW swell with 487 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 17 Jul, 3AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 14s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for El Zunzal this week:
The surf forecast for El Zunzal over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 17) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at El Zunzal in the next 16 days are 0.7m 24s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) 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 3s period and expected on Friday (Jul 17) at 6AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Fri 17th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 24s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Zunzal over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. This is Rusty, and I’m looking at the 16-day outlook for El Zunzal.
We’ve got a bit of a slow start here, but don’t let that fool you. The first few days are a bit of a tease. Thursday afternoon, the 16th, is a write-off – poor conditions, onshore wind, and a weak 3ft SSW swell. Not worth paddling out for.
Friday the 17th, though, things start to turn. The morning session is looking good. We’ve got a clean 3ft SSW swell with a solid 14-second period and light offshore wind from the NNE. It’s a small, clean wave, perfect for a longboard or a fun board. The water is a balmy 86° – about average for this time of year – so you’ll be in shorts and a rashie.
Saturday the 18th is a repeat of that vibe: clean, 3ft SSW swell, 13-second period, and light offshore wind again. The crowd can be around sometimes, but with these conditions, it’s worth the company.
Sunday the 19th is a bit of a mixed bag. The morning is clean with a 2ft SSW swell and a very long 19-second period. That long period means the waves will have real shape and energy, but at a point break like this, it’ll line up nicely. The afternoon turns to junk with onshore wind.
Now, Monday the 20th is where we get our first real standout. The morning is glassy, zero wind, with a 3ft SW swell and a 16-second period. The combined energy is moderate (557), and it’s going to be a joy to surf. Clean, glassy, and with that long-period groundswell, the point will be working its magic. This is the best of the first week.
The pattern continues for the next few days – small, clean mornings with offshore winds, but the afternoons get blown out. The swell is consistent but small, hanging around 2ft to 3ft.
Then, we hit Thursday the 24th. This is a big one. The morning is glassy with a 3ft SSW swell, but the period is a massive 24 seconds. The combined energy jumps to 1128, which is strong. This is a serious groundswell, and it will be powerful. It’s excellent for experienced surfers, and the glassy conditions will make it a session to remember. This is a true standout – the best of the entire outlook.
Friday the 25th is another huge day. The morning is glassy again, with a 4ft SSW swell and a 21-second period. The energy is even stronger at 1468. This is big, powerful, and clean. If you’re an experienced surfer, this is your window.
Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th keep the dream run alive. Glassy mornings, strong SSW swells (4ft to 5ft) with periods around 18-19 seconds, and energy levels over 1200. This is a prolonged run of excellent, high-quality surf. The only downside is a risk of thunderstorms, but the wind is light and glassy, so it’s worth the gamble.
The very end of the outlook, around the 30th and 31st, sees the swell drop back down, but the mornings are still clean and glassy, with a nice 4ft to 3ft SW swell. A good way to wind down.
So, the story is clear: the first week is for small, clean fun, but the second week, starting Thursday the 24th and running through to Monday the 27th, is the real deal. If you can get out there, you want to be on the water for those glassy mornings with the big SSW groundswell. The absolute best of the lot is Thursday the 24th morning – that 24-second period is a rare treat.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 33°C on Fri afternoon, min 26°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Mon morning, min 26°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
378 | 226 | 220 | 253 | 238 | 246 | 246 | 231 | 246 | 309 | 381 | 371 | 344 | 318 | 255 | 215 | 180 | 142 | 73 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross | off | off | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | on | off | glassy | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:40AM2.17m | 4:56PM2.20m | 5:30AM2.20m | 5:45PM2.11m | 6:18AM2.18m | 6:33PM1.98m | 7:06AM2.11m | 7:22PM1.84m | 7:53AM2.02m | 8:12PM1.71m | 8:42AM1.92m | 9:05PM1.59m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:26PM-0.04m | 10:48AM0.12m | 11:13PM-0.01m | 11:40AM0.17m | 00:00AM0.06m | 12:32PM0.24m | 00:45AM0.17m | 1:23PM0.33m | 1:31AM0.29m | 2:15PM0.42m | 2:18AM0.42m | 3:09PM0.50m | |||||||
— | 5:37 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | |
— | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 31 | 33 | 29 | 32 | 33 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 27 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 31 | 28 |
Feels °C | 32 | 33 | 34 | 31 | 34 | 35 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SE 7 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SE 7 | SE 6 |
378 | 111 | 69 | 253 | 238 | 246 | 246 | 123 | 55 | 309 | 381 | 371 | 344 | 318 | 255 | 215 | 180 | 64 | 27 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SE 7 | ESE 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SE 7 | SSW 13 | SSW 8 | SW 7 | SE 6 | S 12 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
36 | 226 | 220 | 45 | 14 | 54 | 28 | 231 | 246 | 91 | 140 | 41 | 246 | 51 | 42 | 26 | 71 | 142 | 73 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SSW 11 | SW 15 | SW 10 | SW 17 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SE 8 | SSW 11 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SSW 10 | SE 6 | S 13 | SE 7 | WSW 8 | ESE 8 | SSW 11 | W 9 |
54 | 70 | 104 | 25 | 145 | 175 | 94 | 48 | 85 | 26 | 9 | 60 | 25 | 78 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 41 | 15 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 3 | — | — | NE 3 | — | WNW 8 | NE 3 | SW 2 | — | ESE 7 | — | — | E 6 | — | — | NNE 3 | S 2 | — |
— | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | 6 | 1 | 1 | — | 15 | — | — | 5 | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 146 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 146 | 0 | 0 | 506 | 0 | 0 | 145 | 0 | 0 | 145 | 0 | 0 | 350 |
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 Zunzal Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for El Zunzal provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at El Zunzal can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our El Zunzal 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 Zunzal) 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 Zunzal 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 Zunzal is 11 km (7 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.










