Playa de Arrigunaga Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's be straight with you – the next couple of weeks are looking pretty bleak for a proper surf. We've got a long stretch of small, weak, and messy waves on the cards, so don't be expecting any heroics just yet. The water's sitting at 73.8°, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year, so at least you won't need a thick suit while you're waiting for something to show.

The first real chance of anything half-decent doesn't roll in until the 21st of August. Before that, it's a whole lot of nothing. We're talking mornings with knee-high dribble and afternoons chopped up by onshore breezes. Through the first ten days, the swell’s just not there, with energy readings mostly in the weak range – you'll see numbers like 61 and 58, nothing to get excited about. It's a long, slow grind.

Then, on the morning of Friday the 21st, we finally get a small window. Playa de Arrigunaga (Bilbao) is looking at a clean 3ft of NW swell with a 9-second period and, crucially, a light offshore touch from the SE. The energy jumps to 138, which is at least moderate, and it's glassy. It's not big, but it's clean, and for the first time in a while, it'll be worth a look if you're desperate for a slide. The afternoon will likely get a bit cross-shore, so make the most of the morning session. Crowds are often a factor here, so be prepared to share it around.

The following week builds a bit more. On the 23rd of August, Sunday morning, we see another clean, glassy window with a 3ft NW swell and the energy holding. But the real standout is the 24th into the 25th. We start seeing some proper energy – readings of 515 and 420, which is strong. On the 24th, the afternoon pushes up to 5ft from the NW with an 11-second period. That's a step up in size. It's still only for the more experienced though, as it's pushing past that beginner-friendly zone. The 25th holds similar size, but the winds turn onshore, making things a bit messier. Still, that Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning window on the 24th and 25th is the most interesting part of the whole run. It's further out, so treat it as promising but don't book time off work for it just yet.

Overall, we're looking at a long, slow period, with one clean small day coming up on the 21st and a more significant, but less clean, pulse of swell right at the end of the window. Keep your expectations low and your patience high.

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