Barinatxe - La Salvaje Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Barinatxe - La Salvaje over the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a bit of a slow start, so don’t rush to grab your board just yet. The early part of the week is pretty flat and messy, with a tiny, weak WNW windswell showing on Tuesday the 25th at a pathetic 2 feet with a 4-second period. The water is 75°, which feels much warmer than normal for this time of year. Not that it matters, because there’s no real surf to enjoy.

Things stay quiet through Wednesday the 26th and Thursday the 27th. We see a small NW swell building a little, but it’s still under 3 feet and the combined wave energy is weak (56 on Thursday morning). The winds are mostly light offshore from the SSE on Thursday, which would keep things clean, but the swell just isn’t there to do anything with.

The first real pulse shows up on Friday the 28th. It’s a bump in size to 5 feet from the NW with an 8-second period, and the combined energy jumps to a moderate 298. The morning looks the pick of the day, with light cross-offshore winds from the SSW keeping the surface clean. This is a beach and reef setup, and at 5 feet it’s starting to push into the territory where beginners might find it a handful. Saturday the 29th keeps the momentum going with a similar 5 feet NW swell early, but Sunday the 30th drops back to a more modest 4 feet with glassy conditions early. The following Monday, the 31st, is a write-off with rain showers and a cross-onshore breeze.

If you want my honest shout for the best window, you’re looking at Wednesday the 2nd of September morning. The swell holds at a clean 4 feet from the NW, but the period stretches out to a quality 11 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy. The combined energy is a hefty 475, which is strong. With a light cross-offshore breeze from the east and clean conditions, this is the one to circle. The long-period swell will work well on this point and reef setup, offering better shaped waves and longer lulls between sets. It’s not huge, but it’s quality. Keep in mind this break is exposed to the NW, so the direction is spot on.

After that, the surf goes a bit inconsistent again into the second week. Thursday the 3rd is blown out by a strong 16 mph NW cross-onshore, and while Friday the 4th offers a glassy 4 feet morning, the swell is short period and the energy is moderate at 206. From the 5th onward, we’re looking at smaller waves, mostly poor conditions with onshore winds, and a lot of chop. Nothing worth getting excited about.

So, bottom line: Friday the 28th and Saturday the 29th of August are your early standouts, but Wednesday the 2nd of September is the true gem if you can wait for it. Consistent? Not really. This spot is on the inconsistent side, so when it does line up, you take the chance. Crowds are often present here, especially on a good day, but that 2nd of September morning might just be worth the company.

Rusty, signing off.

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