Surf Forecasts:
El Zunzal surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 15s 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★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 15s period with SW 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 Sunday (Aug 16) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 7s. 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 Zunzal in the next 16 days are 1.1m 16s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 12AM. 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 Monday (Aug 17) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 12AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Zunzal over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
What’s up? Rusty here.
Alright, we’ve got a solid run of clean, rideable waves shaping up at El Zunzal. This is a classic point break, so it’s got that lined-up, drawn-out feel, especially with the longer-period swells we’re seeing. The water is sitting at 30°, which is about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The pattern starts with a gentle pulse. This Sunday morning, the 16th, we’ve got a clean 4ft SW groundswell (15 seconds) and a light offshore NNE breeze. The combined wave energy is moderate (773). That’s a great way to kick things off – smooth, fun, and not too heavy. Get on it early, because the wind swings around to a southerly onshore in the afternoon, and the quality drops off completely.
Sunday morning is the standout of the first few days. Monday the 17th morning is also good with 3ft SW swell and glassy conditions, so don’t sleep on that either. Tuesday the 18th morning is a sneaky good one – 4ft SW swell, calm, and glassy, with moderate energy (540). Perfect for intermediate surfers to get some long rides. The afternoons remain mostly poor due to onshore wind.
Midweek, Wednesday the 19th morning offers more of the same goodness: 3ft SSW groundswell (15 seconds) with glassy conditions. The energy is still moderate (533). That long period will definitely set up some nice lines down the point.
Thursday the 20th morning is smaller at 2ft, but with glassy conditions, it’s still a fun option. After Friday the 21st, the wind pattern gets a bit tricky in the afternoons with cross-onshore breezes, but the mornings keep delivering.
The real standout for the whole outlook, though, is Saturday the 29th morning. We’ve got a solid 4ft SSW groundswell, calm and glassy conditions, with strong wave energy (721). This is the one to circle. It’s got the size, the direction (SSW is the optimum), and the cleanest possible wind. The point will be reeling. Just know that the afternoon turns choppy with cross-onshore wind.
And then the final week wraps up with a few morning windows. Monday the 31st morning is clean with 3ft SSW swell, and even Monday afternoon stays glassy with a risk of an afternoon thunderstorm, but still surfable. Look for those early sessions.
If you want a session to remember, make it Sunday the 16th morning or Saturday the 29th morning. But honestly, there are many good mornings here. This spot is consistent, and when it’s clean, it’s a joy.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 33°C on Sun morning, min 26°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 27mm), heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 32°C on Wed morning, min 24°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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 15 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | S 8 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 623 | 536 | 543 | 395 | 456 | 431 | 437 | 395 | 573 | 387 | 372 | 261 | 186 | 178 | 147 | 120 | 254 | 281 | 223 | 184 | 243 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | on | off | glassy | on | off | glassy | on | off | glassy | on | off | glassy | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:20PM2.06m | 5:46AM2.20m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:17AM0.14m | 11:29PM0.10m | 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 | ||||||||
 | |  |  |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | |  |  | | |  | |
 | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — |
 | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | 24 | — | 2 | 15 |
Temp °C | 33 | 32 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 32 | 29 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 26 | 30 | 29 | 26 |
Feels °C | 35 | 32 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 35 | 33 | 31 | 34 | 32 | 32 | 35 | 33 | 32 | 34 | 34 | 29 | 32 | 32 | 29 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSE 8 | SW 13 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 |
| kJ | 623 | 536 | 543 | 395 | 456 | 431 | 437 | 395 | 573 | 387 | 372 | 261 | 95 | 178 | 58 | 120 | 254 | 281 | 223 | 184 | 141 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | S 7 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 8 | S 8 | SSW 10 | SW 14 | S 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 11 | S 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 125 | 79 | 25 | 45 | 69 | 70 | 95 | 84 | 95 | 94 | 49 | 63 | 186 | 49 | 147 | 91 | 71 | 193 | 133 | 168 | 243 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 8 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SE 7 | S 8 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SE 7 | SW 14 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SSW 16 | SE 6 | SE 6 |
| kJ | 25 | 24 | 62 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 8 | 6 | 31 | 52 | 42 | 49 | 55 | 55 | 35 | 95 | 27 | 9 | 105 | 11 | 9 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 8 | WSW 3 | — | — | — | NNW 7 | — | — | NE 3 | SSW 9 | — | — | SE 7 | — | NNE 2 | SSW 3 | NNW 3 | — | W 2 | W 3 |
| kJ | — | 6 | 2 | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | 3 | 68 | — | — | 71 | — | 1 | 4 | 2 | — | 1 | 4 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 225 | 0 | 0 | 408 | 0 | 0 | 336 | 0 | 0 | 491 | 0 | 0 | 350 | 0 | 0 | 322 | 0 | 0 | 506 | 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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