Playa de Arrigunaga Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Grab a seat, mate, because I’ve been staring at the charts for the Basque Coast and, well, it’s a bit of a quiet one for the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a long, slow stretch ahead with barely a pulse of energy, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel if you’re patient.

The first proper surf worth paddling out for doesn’t show up until Friday, August 7th. That’s a solid week away, so for the next six days you’re looking at tiny, weak waves—mostly knee-high or smaller, with light winds and glassy mornings, but the swell just isn’t there. The combined energy sits in the weak zone (under 100), and the period is short, so don’t expect any drive. Honestly, it’s more of a paddle and float session than a surf.

Then, on Friday morning, August 7th, we finally get a pulse. The swell bumps up to 4 ft from the WNW, with a period of 9 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to 247 (moderate). The wind is light and offshore from the east, which is a rare treat—it’ll be clean out there. The water temperature is a touch warmer than normal at 73°, so you won’t need a thick wetsuit. The break is Playa de Arrigunaga, a sandbar setup that’s fairly consistent, and it’s fairly exposed to the NW swell. The crowd factor is “often” so expect a few locals out, but with the offshore wind and chest-high waves, it’s the best option on offer. The swell direction is WNW, which matches the optimum direction of NW closely enough, so the waves should have some shape.

If you miss that Friday morning window, Saturday morning, August 8th, is another decent look. The swell drops to 3 ft from the NW, period 8 seconds, and the combined energy is 100 (weak-moderate). The wind is dead calm and glassy, so it’ll be clean. It’s smaller, but still fun for a longboard or a fish.

The standout of the whole run, though, is Monday morning, August 10th. The swell picks up to 3 ft from the NNW, with a long period of 11 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to 322 (strong). The wind is glassy, offshore conditions, and the forecast says “expect good surf conditions”. This is a groundswell, and the period is long, so it’ll have more push and better shape. It’s a bit bigger than the previous days, but still manageable for intermediates. The direction is NNW, which is a little off the optimum NW, but with the long period and clean wind, it’ll still produce some nice lines. The break is a sandbar, so be aware that long-period swells can sometimes close out on beach breaks, but with the size being moderate, it should be fine.

Overall, the first week is a write-off. The second week delivers a couple of solid mornings: Friday August 7th (best for the offshore wind) and Monday August 10th (best for the size, period, and energy). The water is a touch warmer than normal, so you’re in for a pleasant session. Crowds are often around, so get in early. If you’re a beginner, stick to the smaller days; Monday August 10th might be a bit much if you’re just starting out.

Rusty, signing off.

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