
Surf Forecasts:
La Balconada surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 10s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period, SSE swell with 322 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 17 Sep, 12AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 10s period with SSE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for La Balconada this week:
The surf forecast for La Balconada over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at La Balconada in the next 16 days are 1.3m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 20) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (-03) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for La Balconada over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for La Balconada.
Right off the bat, things are pretty flat and disappointing. We’ve got a big gap of nothing special to start with. The first few days are a write-off with tiny, weak energy and poor conditions. It’s not until the morning of the 16th that we start to see something worth paddling out for, but even then it’s marginal at best.
So, the story goes like this: You’re waiting until Wednesday the 16th for a pulse. The morning brings a clean 5 ft swell from the south, with a period of 8 seconds and moderate energy (554). It’s a bit of a jumble though, and it’s only really for the advanced crew. The wind is from the south at 9 mph, blowing straight onshore, so it's not going to be pristine. By the afternoon, the size drops to 4 ft from the SSE, and the period stretches out to 10 seconds, with a light cross-onshore breeze. The conditions are described as "light cross-onshore with small wind ripples" – not the best, but you might snag a few if you’re desperate.
Thursday morning the 17th is probably your best early bet. We get a 3 ft swell from the SSE, period of 9 seconds, and a nice 9 mph offshore wind from the north. Gentle offshore and clean – that’s the kind of morning you want. The combined energy is moderate at 180. It’s small and maybe a bit weak, but the conditions will make up for it. La Balconada is an exposed spot, so on a clean day like this it could be fun for the advanced surfer.
The next real standout comes way out in the forecast. On the morning of Monday the 28th of September, we see a solid 6 ft swell from the south, with a period of 9 seconds and strong wave energy (586). The wind is light and cross-shore from the ESE at 6 mph, which is manageable. It's going to be a bigger, more powerful day, and with the water temperature at an average level for this time of year, you won’t need the thickest wetsuit. This swell is on the limit for experts, as anything over 8 ft is only for the brave, but 6 ft is a solid, fun size for those who know what they’re doing.
Honestly, the whole run is a bit of a mixed bag. We have some clean, smaller windows and one bigger pulse near the end. For a standout, I’d point you to Thursday the 17th morning for the clean offshore conditions, and then keep an eye on Monday the 28th morning for the bigger, more powerful south swell – if the light cross-shore holds, it could be the best session of the whole outlook. The crowds at La Balconada can sometimes be an issue, so get in early.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue morning, min 8°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNE on Mon night, fresh winds from the SW by Tue afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 9 | E 8 | SW 5 | S 6 | S 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | E 9 | E 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
92 | 41 | 71 | 139 | 314 | 322 | 248 | 176 | 141 | 67 | 41 | 24 | 28 | 9 | 8 | 21 | 17 | 215 | 237 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 9:44PM0.32m | 3:12AM0.23m | 2:50PM0.19m | 10:30PM0.30m | 4:05AM0.23m | 3:29PM0.19m | 11:13PM0.28m | 4:59AM0.23m | 4:12PM0.19m | 11:57PM0.26m | 5:57AM0.23m | 12:02PM0.39m | 00:40AM0.24m | 6:58AM0.23m | 12:44PM0.37m | 1:25AM0.22m | 8:05AM0.24m | 1:28PM0.36m | 6:58PM0.18m |
Low Tide | 00:52AM0.18m | 6:04AM0.12m | 2:00PM0.19m | 6:37PM0.01m | 6:46AM0.15m | 2:55PM0.19m | 7:22PM0.02m | 7:27AM0.17m | 3:48PM0.19m | 8:08PM0.05m | 8:08AM0.19m | 4:37PM0.18m | 8:54PM0.07m | 3:42AM0.15m | 5:24PM0.18m | 9:43PM0.09m | 4:26AM0.15m | 6:09PM0.18m | |
— | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | |
6:25 | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:29 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 10 | 15 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 8 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | S 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | E 9 | E 10 |
92 | 41 | 29 | 4 | 235 | 322 | 248 | 176 | 141 | 67 | 41 | 24 | 28 | 9 | 8 | 21 | 17 | 215 | 237 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | SSE 9 | S 16 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 | SSE 13 | SE 8 | SE 8 | S 8 | — | — | SSE 9 | S 9 |
38 | 26 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 17 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 9 | 6 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | SE 12 | SE 16 | E 9 | ENE 8 | — | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | S 13 | SSE 13 | E 11 | — | S 8 | — | — | — | S 12 |
15 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 13 | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 16 | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 3 | SW 5 | S 6 | S 8 | — | NE 3 | NNE 3 | — | ENE 4 | ENE 4 | ENE 4 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | — | SW 3 |
— | 8 | 71 | 139 | 314 | — | 3 | 3 | — | 7 | 3 | 31 | 42 | 64 | 139 | 228 | 257 | — | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 1 | 118 | 311 | 1 | 43 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 0 | 62 | 871 | 871 | 871 | 871 | 343 | 6 | 62 | 62 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Uruguay - North | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Uruguay | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the La Balconada Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for La Balconada provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at La Balconada can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our La Balconada 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 (La Balconada) 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 La Balconada 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.
La Balconada is 2 km (1 miles) from La Paloma. If you plan a holiday in Uruguay - North, look for hotels and other accommodation in La Paloma. La Paloma has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










