Barinatxe - La Salvaje Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s talk it through. First real chance to get wet is Monday morning, the 14th. It was quiet before that, but Monday shows some hope. The pattern overall has some real gems, but there’s a stretch of junky wind and slop in between, especially midweek.

Monday morning the 14th, we see a clean 4-foot swell from the NNW with a 12-second period at Barinatxe - La Salvaje. Water temp is about 72°F, a touch warmer than normal for the season. Winds are light out of the ESE, crossing offshore – that glassy feel. Wave energy is moderate, pushing 354. Good start to the week.

By Monday afternoon, the wind swings northeast at 9 mph, going cross, and the surface gets a little rumpled. Swell drops to just over 3 feet and gets less defined. Tuesday is a total write-off, onshore winds and weak little 2- to 3-foot junk. Wednesday stays poor with rain and onshore breezes, swell up to about 5 feet but with a short 7-second period – that’s all chop and no shape.

Thursday the 17th has cross-on breeze with a 5-foot NW swell, 11-second period, but still messy. Energy sits at 572 – moderate – but the wind kills the quality. We don’t see real clean glass again until Friday evening the 18th. Swell period climbs to 15 seconds, but the swell is only 4 feet and wind is onshore. Strong energy at 1105 but not clean.

Now, Saturday morning the 19th – this is the one. Glassy, dead calm, 7 feet of NNW swell at 13 seconds. Energy is strong at 1551. This is big, thick groundswell – expert only. It’s going to be powerful. Best session of the first week.

Sunday the 20th is still solid: 5 feet from the NNW, 11-second period, with a light cross-off breeze from the east. Clean, but a step down from Saturday.

Monday the 21st – another standout. Glassy, 7 feet from the NNW with a very long 14-second period. Energy hits 1634. This is big and clean, again for experts only. The long period means the waves will have great shape on the reef.

Tuesday the 22nd is glassy calm in the morning, 5 feet at 12 seconds – very good and more approachable.

From Wednesday the 23rd through the end of the week, we see onshore wind and wobbly conditions, swell dropping below 3 feet at times. Not worth paddling. Friday the 25th shows some long-period 15-second swell at 4 to 5 feet, but cross wind keeps it just okay.

Saturday the 26th morning – clean cross-off wind from the south, 4 feet at 13 seconds from the NW. Fun shape.

Sunday the 27th brings offshore wind from the SSE, with 4 feet at 10 seconds – great for a longboard or easy shortboard.

Monday the 28th gets hit by strong 19 mph west winds, blowing cross-on. Swell reaches 5 to 7 feet but lumpy and onshore – maybe more for kite surfing than paddling.

Tuesday the 29th fades with smaller 4-foot swell in cross and onshore wind.

Best bets: Saturday the 19th and Monday the 21st mornings – glassy, overhead, correct direction, expert level. Saturday the 26th morning is also a nice call for cleaner, more moderate surf.

This spot is a beach and reef setup, so the bigger days will have proper power. Crowds are possible on the good days.

Rusty.

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