Playa de Arrigunaga Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s call it like it is – this 16-day stretch for Playa de Arrigunaga is mostly a waiting game. The first eight days are a bust, with hardly any surf to speak of.

From Saturday the 1st right through to Saturday the 8th of August, the swell is tiny – topping out at around 3 ft, with periods under 8 seconds. The wind is messy, coming from cross, cross-on, and onshore directions, and the wave energy is weak, barely registering over 70 for most of it. There are a few glassy mornings, like Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4th, but with swell at 0.7 ft to 1 ft and energy below 30, you’re just staring at flat water. It’s a dry spell.

Then comes Sunday the 9th of August. That morning, the swell jumps to 5 ft from the NW, with a period of 8 seconds. The combined energy hits 250 (moderate energy) – a proper pulse. It’s glassy, with a slight air, so the surface will be clean. This is the one session to aim for. At 5 ft, it’s a good size for intermediates, though it’s getting up there. The water temp is 74°, which is 4° warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s a notable jump, so you’ll be comfortable in a spring suit. This sandbar break is fairly consistent and exposed to the NW, but crowds are listed as “often,” so don’t expect a solo session. The window is tight, though – the afternoon brings a light cross-onshore and the swell drops back to 3 ft.

Monday the 10th of August morning is a decent backup, with 3 ft from the NW, 8-second period, and glassy conditions. Energy is at 122 (moderate), but it’s just “surfable but ordinary.” The afternoon wind swings cross-onshore again, killing it.

From Tuesday the 11th onward, it’s back to small stuff – swell between 1 ft and 3 ft, with short periods. A few more glassy mornings, like the 12th and 16th, but the energy never cracks 130. The afternoon winds are consistently onshore or cross-onshore, messing up the shape.

Bottom line: if you’re chasing waves, the morning of Sunday the 9th is your best bet. Clean 5 ft NW swell, but expect a crowd. The rest is a long wait.

Rusty.

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