Surf Forecasts:
El Zunzal surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 18s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 18s period, SW swell with 1,124 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 16s 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 Tuesday (Aug 25) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at El Zunzal in the next 16 days are 1.4m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) 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 0.5m 3s period and expected on Monday (Aug 31) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Tue 25th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Zunzal over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's cooking.
Alright, we’ve only got one spot really on the radar for the next couple of weeks: El Zunzal. This is a consistent point break set up for when the swell comes from the SSW, which it is. The water is sitting at a balmy 87° – a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, which is nice. Overall, the pattern is looking pretty good; a mix of small, clean windows and some real standouts for the more experienced crew. There is no gap at the start, we have surf from Tuesday (25 August) morning.
The best of the initial run looks to be Friday the 28th morning. We’ve got a clean 3ft of SSW groundswell with a 16-second period pushing in, the wind is glassy from the NNE, and the combined energy is solid (724). Good quality, clean waves on offer. It’s a consistent spot, but it can get a crowd sometimes, so get in early for the best of it.
The absolute standout, the one to mark on the calendar, is Saturday the 29th morning. That morning session is firing for the intermediate to advanced crew. We’re looking at 5ft of SW groundswell, with a perfect 16-second period, and zero wind. Glassy as a mirror. The combined energy is strong (1147). That’s proper, powerful groundswell wrapping around the point. At 5ft it’s pushing the upper limit for beginners but will be a dream for anyone who’s been surfing a while.
After that, the swell hangs around but the winds get tricky through Sunday (30 August) and Monday (31 August). The afternoons turn into a bit of a mess with cross-onshore breezes. Mornings stay clean, but the size drops back to around 4ft.
Looking further out to the second week, there’s more promise. Friday the 4th of September morning is another big call. 5ft of SSW groundswell with a 17-second period, glassy off the ESE. The combined energy is pumping at 1433. That’s excellent, powerful surf for experienced surfers. Still, being a week out, there is a touch less certainty, but the signs are strong.
Saturday the 5th of September could be a classic. 6ft of SSW groundswell and glassy, offshore wind from the NW all day long. That’s a full day of clean head-high plus sets on the point, with that kind of energy you can feel in your chest when you paddle out.
Later in the window, Monday the 7th and Tuesday the 8th of September mornings look clean and fun, with 4ft and 3ft swell respectively, glassy conditions, and clean lines. The 9th of September also has some very promising glassy waves with a long period.
So, to boil it down: the 29th of August morning is the pick of the first week, and the 4th and 5th of September are the long-range standouts to have circled. Get after it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 32°C on Tue morning, min 27°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 32°C on Fri morning, min 27°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | |||||||||||||||
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 16 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SSE 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 268 | 173 | 248 | 156 | 150 | 104 | 124 | 209 | 117 | 330 | 464 | 1124 | 1057 | 1031 | 942 | 763 | 752 | 581 | 412 | 406 | 336 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:44PM1.75m | 1:21AM1.60m | 1:33PM1.82m | 2:05AM1.73m | 2:16PM1.88m | 2:45AM1.85m | 2:57PM1.93m | 3:22AM1.97m | 3:35PM1.96m | 3:58AM2.07m | 4:13PM1.97m | 4:34AM2.13m | 4:51PM1.95m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:14PM0.49m | 7:19AM0.57m | 7:56PM0.42m | 8:06AM0.48m | 8:33PM0.34m | 8:49AM0.40m | 9:09PM0.28m | 9:29AM0.32m | 9:43PM0.23m | 10:08AM0.26m | 10:18PM0.20m | 10:48AM0.22m | 10:54PM0.19m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | |  | | | | | | |  | | | | |  | | |
 | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — |
 | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:12 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:10 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:08 | — |
mm | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 5 | — | 2 | 3 |
Temp °C | 32 | 30 | 27 | 32 | 30 | 29 | 32 | 30 | 28 | 32 | 30 | 29 | 32 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 27 |
Feels °C | 33 | 34 | 30 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 34 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 30 | 33 | 33 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | S 9 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SE 8 | SSW 18 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSW 16 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 94 | 59 | 248 | 156 | 150 | 104 | 86 | 209 | 107 | 88 | 464 | 1124 | 1057 | 1031 | 942 | 763 | 752 | 581 | 412 | 406 | 336 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SSW 16 | S 9 | S 9 | SW 11 | SE 6 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 16 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 8 | SE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 10 | SE 7 | SE 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 |
| kJ | 268 | 173 | 38 | 39 | 30 | 16 | 106 | 104 | 103 | 330 | 79 | 42 | 71 | 43 | 35 | 55 | 23 | 35 | 22 | 26 | 51 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SSW 11 | SE 6 | SW 11 | SSE 8 | S 8 | SSW 18 | SW 10 | SSW 17 | SW 20 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 7 | SSW 8 | SSW 7 | SW 7 | S 7 | W 10 | W 8 | WSW 8 | W 8 |
| kJ | 69 | 50 | 21 | 30 | 14 | 21 | 124 | 25 | 117 | 306 | 30 | 52 | 19 | 26 | 18 | 12 | 24 | 45 | 22 | 20 | 18 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 3 | SSE 7 | — | ESE 7 | SSE 7 | — | NE 3 | SSE 7 | NW 5 | — | SW 7 | — | — | SSE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 2 | 34 | — | 37 | 61 | — | 2 | 108 | 1 | — | 12 | — | — | 56 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 225 | 0 | 0 | 521 | 0 | 0 | 368 | 0 | 0 | 243 | 0 | 0 | 146 | 0 | 8 | 322 | 0 | 0 | 347 | 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 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.
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