Surf Forecasts:
Papagayo - Playa Blanca surf forecast from 26 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 31 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period, N swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 26 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 8s period, N swell with 428 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 31 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period with N swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Papagayo - Playa Blanca this week:
The surf forecast for Papagayo - Playa Blanca over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Papagayo - Playa Blanca in the next 16 days are 1.8m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 26) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore 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 (Jul 26) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Fri 31st Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Fri 31st Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Sun 26th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Papagayo - Playa Blanca over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s happening at Papagayo - Playa Blanca over the next couple of weeks.
To be straight with you, the next ten days or so are looking pretty grim. We’re stuck in a pattern of north and north-northeast winds, mostly cross-off but with a bit too much juice behind them, and the swell is just not lining up with what this reef wants. The waves are there, but they’re all short-period windswell hammering in from the north, and the combined energy is weak to moderate at best, hitting around 8 to 447. It’s just not the right direction, so the quality is poor. You’ll see clean faces, sure, but the shape and push just aren’t there. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, nothing to write home about.
Honestly, the only time this spot even starts to look interesting is on the morning of Thursday, August 6th. The swell is coming from the north at 7ft, with a period of 9 seconds, and the combined energy is a solid 694. That’s a moderate wave energy, and it’s the biggest push we see. The wind is a moderate cross-off from the north-northeast, so it’s clean. But it’s still a northerly, not the optimum WSW direction for this reef, so it’s marginal. That morning is the best on offer, but it’s a far cry from perfect. It’s a bit much for the beginners at 7ft, and the period is short, so it’s not going to have that long, drawn-out feel.
The rest of the first week of August sees a little bump in size on the 5th and 8th, but the wind stays on it and the direction is still wrong. On the 8th, we get a 5ft to 5ft northerly with a 9-second period, but it’s still just a marginal option.
So, to sum it up: if you’re desperate for a paddle, the Thursday morning (August 6th) is your best bet, but don’t expect anything epic. The rest of the window is a write-off. This spot is inconsistent, and this run is a good example of why. It’s not a place that fires often, and when it does, it needs a different swell.
Stay patient, and check back. Forecasts can change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sun morning, min 20°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Thu afternoon, min 19°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 14 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | N 9 | NW 10 | N 6 | N 6 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 4 | 428 | 341 | 283 | 217 | 183 | 160 | 155 | 121 | 76 | 16 | 28 | 115 | 143 | 152 | 181 | 192 | 203 | 159 | 159 | 159 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:39PM1.96m | 1:04AM1.88m | 1:20PM2.09m | 1:42AM1.98m | 1:56PM2.22m | 2:16AM2.07m | 2:30PM2.32m | 2:49AM2.14m | 3:02PM2.40m | 3:21AM2.18m | 3:33PM2.43m | 3:53AM2.19m | 4:05PM2.43m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:20AM0.72m | 6:56PM0.62m | 7:02AM0.61m | 7:35PM0.51m | 7:39AM0.50m | 8:10PM0.41m | 8:13AM0.41m | 8:43PM0.33m | 8:45AM0.35m | 9:15PM0.28m | 9:16AM0.31m | 9:46PM0.26m | 9:48AM0.31m | 10:18PM0.27m | |||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | |  | |  | | | |  | | | |
 | 7:11 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — |
 | — | 8:50 | — | — | 8:50 | — | — | 8:49 | — | — | 8:47 | — | — | 8:47 | — | — | 8:46 | — | — | 8:45 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 23 |
Feels °C | 19 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | N 12 | NNW 11 | NNW 10 | N 9 | NW 10 | NW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | N 11 | N 10 | WNW 9 | N 7 | WNW 8 |
| kJ | 4 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 23 | 32 | 16 | 28 | 25 | 19 | 9 | 8 | 20 | 17 | 44 | 159 | 48 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | WNW 10 | NW 10 | S 13 | S 13 | N 14 | N 13 | NW 8 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | N 11 | N 12 | N 12 | N 11 | N 11 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | N 10 | WNW 8 | — |
| kJ | 4 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 13 | 3 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 48 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NW 9 | NW 9 | — | W 13 | NW 12 | NW 8 | NW 8 | N 11 | — | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | — | WNW 7 | N 10 | NNW 6 | NW 7 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | — | 3 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 10 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | 5 | 8 | 4 | 12 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | — | N 7 |
| kJ | 522 | 428 | 341 | 283 | 217 | 183 | 160 | 155 | 121 | 76 | 69 | 91 | 115 | 143 | 152 | 181 | 192 | 203 | 159 | — | 159 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 301 | 195 | 306 | 195 | 195 | 3 | 3 | 232 | 3 | 538 | 540 | 426 | 397 | 545 | 232 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Lanzarote | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Spain (Africa) | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Papagayo - Playa Blanca Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Papagayo - Playa Blanca provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Papagayo - Playa Blanca can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Papagayo - Playa Blanca 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 (Papagayo - Playa Blanca) 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 Papagayo - Playa Blanca 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.
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