Surf Forecasts:
La Barra surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 3AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 17s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 16s period, SSW swell with 945 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 9PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 13s 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 10s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at La Barra in the next 16 days are 1.4m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 6PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 9PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 3AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for La Barra over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s happening at La Barra over the next couple of weeks.
We’re looking at a stretch that starts off with small, inconsistent waves, but there’s a real pulse of energy building for the end of the first week and into the second. The water is sitting at 88°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you’ll be comfortable in a spring suit or just boardshorts.
The early part of the forecast, from Sunday the 23rd through Tuesday the 27th, is a bit of a mixed bag with small swell. Most days are seeing waves around 1ft to 3ft, but the wind is the real story. Monday morning the 24th and Tuesday morning the 25th are both showing glassy conditions with light easterly breezes, making for some clean, if small, lines. The energy is moderate, with combined swell energy readings around 350 to 478 (moderate wave energy). The swell is coming from the SSW, which is the optimum direction for this river/jetty setup. These are mornings for the log or a longboard, just to get a few fun ones.
The real standout arrives on Friday the 28th. Friday morning is looking excellent. The swell bumps up to 2ft from the SSW, but the period is a solid 19 seconds – that’s a long-period groundswell, meaning proper shape and energy. The wind is glassy, and the combined energy jumps to 692 (strong wave energy). This is the best session of the early window. Saturday the 29th morning also looks very good, with the swell building to 4ft, a clean offshore WNW breeze, and energy hitting 900 (strong wave energy). This is your pick for the first week.
After a small drop-off early in the second week, the big news is Thursday the 3rd of September. Thursday morning is shaping up to be a cracker. We’ve got a 3ft SSW swell with a 19-second period, absolutely no wind – glassy as a mirror – and the combined energy is a powerful 805 (strong wave energy). This is a morning where the river mouth could really line up.
Then, the real beast arrives on Saturday the 5th of September. The swell is 6ft from the SSW, with a 16-second period, and the wind is glassy again. The combined energy is a massive 1736 (very strong wave energy). This is expert territory. At 6ft, it’s too big for beginners, and the long period means the sets will have serious power. The river mouth will be handling it best, but it will be a heavy, powerful wave. That Saturday morning is the undisputed standout of the entire 16-day window.
Crowds are listed as "sometimes" at La Barra, so on the standout days, expect a few other locals to be out. It’s a fairly consistent spot, so when it’s on, people know it.
Overall, you’ve got a slow start, a few fun glassy mornings in the first week, then a real ramp-up into the second week with the 3rd, 5th, and 6th of September offering the best chances. The 5th is the big one.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Tue night. Warm (max 31°C on Sun morning, min 26°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 31°C on Wed morning, min 26°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 15 | SSW 19 | SSW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
207 | 214 | 286 | 180 | 267 | 310 | 234 | 147 | 215 | 137 | 89 | 85 | 84 | 178 | 146 | 251 | 422 | 751 | 798 | 892 | 702 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | glassy | off | glassy | on | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:45AM1.55m | 11:24PM1.29m | 11:46AM1.57m | 00:26AM1.35m | 12:42PM1.61m | 1:18AM1.44m | 1:30PM1.67m | 2:03AM1.56m | 2:14PM1.72m | 2:43AM1.68m | 2:55PM1.77m | 3:20AM1.79m | 3:33PM1.79m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:26PM0.56m | 5:18AM0.61m | 6:24PM0.52m | 6:20AM0.58m | 7:13PM0.45m | 7:15AM0.52m | 7:55PM0.38m | 8:02AM0.44m | 8:32PM0.31m | 8:46AM0.36m | 9:07PM0.26m | 9:27AM0.29m | 9:42PM0.21m | ||||||||
5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | |
— | 6:20 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:19 | — | — | 6:17 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | |
mm | — | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 10 | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 31 | 30 | 27 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 28 |
Feels °C | 32 | 32 | 29 | 31 | 32 | 34 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 34 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 33 | 32 | 33 | 30 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | SE 8 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 16 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
123 | 94 | 55 | 85 | 83 | 310 | 61 | 60 | 215 | 137 | 38 | 33 | 41 | 57 | 129 | 215 | 191 | 751 | 798 | 892 | 702 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 17 | S 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 9 |
207 | 154 | 92 | 136 | 267 | 83 | 234 | 147 | 57 | 39 | 89 | 85 | 84 | 178 | 146 | 226 | 422 | 144 | 90 | 81 | 101 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SW 11 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSW 15 | SSW 21 | SSW 19 | SW 13 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 7 |
148 | 214 | 286 | 180 | 50 | 33 | 55 | 50 | 33 | 15 | 30 | 12 | 16 | 84 | 86 | 251 | 27 | 33 | 12 | 20 | 30 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 6 | SSE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 4 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 17 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 20 | 552 | 0 | 0 | 392 | 0 | 0 | 392 | 0 | 0 | 392 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 295 | 0 | 0 | 498 | 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.











