Surf Forecasts:
La Barra surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 9AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 17s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 5 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, SSW swell with 1,199 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 16s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for La Barra this week:
The surf forecast for La Barra over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at La Barra in the next 16 days are 1.6m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 05) at 3AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 31) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 9AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 3AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for La Barra over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, mate, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for La Barra.
Alright, we’ve got a solid run of surf ahead, starting this Saturday morning, the 29th of August. The water’s sitting at a warm 87°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – feels like a bath, in a good way. The whole pattern is driven by a consistent SSW groundswell, with periods hanging around 13 to 17 seconds, so that’s proper long-period energy. That means the waves will have plenty of push and shape, but the gaps between sets will be longer, making it easier to get out the back. The standout is definitely going to be the Saturday morning sessions, especially the first one.
So, kicking off Saturday morning, the 29th, La Barra is looking unreal. Glassy conditions, a light SE breeze, and a clean 4ft SSW groundswell with a 16-second period. That’s a recipe for clean, lined-up waves rolling into the river mouth. The combined energy is moderate at 850. This is the best on offer for the near term – get out there early.
Sunday morning, the 30th, is another cracker. Completely glassy with no wind, the swell holds at 4ft from the SSW, period dropping a touch to 14 seconds. Combined energy is 689, still moderate. It’s going to be clean and fun. The afternoons both days get a bit messy with a cross-onshore breeze picking up, so the mornings are the go.
Monday morning, the 31st, brings a slight drop in swell to 3ft, but the wind is a light offshore from the W, keeping things clean. The period is 13 seconds, and combined energy is 397. Good fun, but not as strong as the weekend.
Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, the 1st and 2nd of September, see the swell dropping to 3ft and 2ft, but we get glassy conditions again. Wednesday morning is a real sleeper – the swell is small, 2ft, but with a 17-second period, that’s some long, clean lines. Combined energy is 506, which is moderate for the size, meaning there’s more power in the water than you’d think. The river mouth should handle that well.
Now, the real standout pops up on Friday the 4th of September. The swell builds back to 4ft from the SSW, with a 17-second period, and the morning is glassy with a light offshore wind. The combined energy is strong at 1092. This is for experienced surfers, as it’s a solid, powerful groundswell. The setup looks more for experts that day.
Then Saturday the 5th of September might be the biggest of the whole run. The swell hits 5ft from the SSW, 16-second period, and the morning is glassy. Combined energy is 1225, which is strong. That’s a lot of water moving. Again, this is for experienced surfers only. The river mouth should handle the size, but with that long period, it’ll be a bit more walled up.
After that, the second week sees the swell settle back to 3ft to 4ft range, with mornings staying glassy or clean. The 7th, 8th, and 9th of September all have fun morning windows. The 9th has a nice offshore wind from the NW, which is a good sign. The 11th of September also has a clean morning with a 4ft SSW swell and offshore wind. The last couple of days, the 12th and 13th, drop off to under 3ft, but the 13th has a crazy 19-second period on a tiny 1ft swell – that’s pure, slow-moving energy, interesting for a longboard or a quiet session.
Crowds are possible at La Barra, especially on the weekends, so get there early for the glassy mornings. Overall, the best of the best is that Saturday morning, the 29th of August, and the big Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th of September for the more experienced crew.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 32°C on Sun afternoon, min 26°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Tue night. Warm (max 30°C on Tue morning, min 25°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
798 | 892 | 702 | 647 | 638 | 530 | 373 | 362 | 299 | 257 | 241 | 245 | 267 | 237 | 268 | 215 | 399 | 742 | 911 | 1020 | 1081 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | off | glassy | cross | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 3:33PM1.79m | 3:57AM1.88m | 4:11PM1.79m | 4:33AM1.95m | 4:49PM1.77m | 5:11AM1.98m | 5:29PM1.73m | 5:52AM1.98m | 6:11PM1.67m | 6:36AM1.95m | 6:58PM1.60m | 7:27AM1.90m | 7:52PM1.53m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:27AM0.29m | 9:42PM0.21m | 10:07AM0.24m | 10:16PM0.18m | 10:47AM0.20m | 10:52PM0.17m | 11:28AM0.19m | 11:31PM0.18m | 12:12PM0.21m | 00:13AM0.21m | 1:00PM0.26m | 1:00AM0.25m | 1:54PM0.32m | 1:55AM0.32m | |||||||
5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | |
— | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:14 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:12 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 8 | — | — | 11 | — | — | 4 | — | — | 2 | — | 3 | 1 |
Temp °C | 31 | 31 | 29 | 31 | 32 | 29 | 32 | 31 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 31 | 30 | 27 |
Feels °C | 30 | 32 | 34 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 34 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 35 | 31 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 29 | 33 | 31 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 |
798 | 892 | 702 | 647 | 638 | 530 | 373 | 362 | 299 | 257 | 241 | 245 | 206 | 209 | 57 | 57 | 62 | 742 | 911 | 1020 | 1081 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 6 | SSE 8 | SE 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | SE 6 | SSE 8 | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | S 7 | SSE 7 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 18 | SSE 7 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | S 7 |
19 | 103 | 59 | 27 | 35 | 23 | 10 | 13 | 8 | 25 | 37 | 29 | 267 | 237 | 161 | 125 | 399 | 35 | 78 | 76 | 25 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 11 | SE 6 | WSW 8 | SE 7 | S 8 | SSW 6 | SSE 8 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 7 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | W 9 |
27 | 26 | 47 | 13 | 6 | 23 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 82 | 124 | 18 | 18 | 54 | 268 | 215 | 123 | 79 | 17 | 15 | 13 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 3 | WNW 9 | WSW 3 | W 4 | — | SE 5 | — | — | SSE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 2 | 26 | 2 | 4 | — | 5 | — | — | 90 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 484 | 0 | 0 | 495 | 0 | 0 | 495 | 0 | 0 | 495 | 0 | 52 | 614 | 0 | 0 | 470 | 0 | 0 | 138 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Guatemala - Pacific Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Guatemala | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the La Barra Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for La Barra provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at La Barra can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our La Barra 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 Barra) 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 Barra 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 Barra is 9 km (6 miles) from San Jose. If you plan a holiday in Guatemala - Pacific Coast, look for hotels and other accommodation in San Jose. San Jose has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











