El Zunzal Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, my salty brothers and sisters, let’s break down what’s happening on this 16-day stretch. The main spot on the menu is El Zunzal, a real classic point break that wants a SSW swell.

The opening of the week shows some solid potential. Sunday the 26th, first light, we have glassy conditions with swell at 4ft out of the SSW, and a period of 19 seconds – that’s proper, long-held groundswell. The wave energy is reading as a strong 1076 (moderate wave energy), but because it’s such a long period, the sets roll through slowly, and the point will groom it into nice peeling lines. This is solid intermediate territory.

Monday the 27th is similar but a touch bigger, with 5ft of SSW swell at 18 seconds (1505 energy – strong wave energy). Again, glassy perfection first thing. Tuesday the 28th is where the biggest swell lands – up to 6ft (18 seconds, 2063 energy – strong to very strong wave energy) – but the wind turns cross-onshore, which will chunk up the face. That morning could have been a classic, but it’s a bit sloppy for a point break.

The real gem here is the stretch of Thursday the 30th and Friday the 31st. On the 30th, the wind goes dead calm, flat slick surface, with a clean 4 to 5ft SSW swell at 14 seconds (742 energy – moderate wave energy). The water is like glass. That’s a fantastic grab-and-go session. The 31st is much the same – 4ft, 14 seconds, glassy (549 combined energy – moderate wave energy), perfect conditions for a good long ride.

Then the surf backs off considerably. The first week of August drops you down to waist-high waves, mostly below 3ft. The mornings from the 1st through the 4th are still glassy, so a log or funboard will get you into some long, mellow rollers. The combined energy dips into the 200s and 300s (weak to low moderate wave energy) – still surfable, but lacking punch.

There’s a lull around the 5th of August where the energy is weak (131 – weak wave energy), but then we see a little bounce back on the 6th and 7th of August, with 3 to 3ft of SSW swell at 15 seconds (416 combined energy – moderate wave energy). The 7th morning is a standout for that window – glassy and clean.

If I’m calling it, my top pick is Sunday morning the 26th – that 4ft, 19-second groundswell with glassy wind is the kind of session you drive for. The second best is Thursday morning the 30th – a touch smaller but absolutely pristine conditions, with less chance of crowds since it’s a weekday at a spot that can see crowds sometimes.

Water temp is about normal for the season here. El Zunzal (El Salvador) is a point break, so that long-period energy we’re seeing will wrap beautifully. Just make sure you’re on the morning sessions; the afternoons often get a sea breeze that messes with the shape.

Stay stoked, and paddle hard.

Rusty.

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