Playa de Barrika Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Playa de Barrika. It’s a real mixed bag over the next couple of weeks, so we’ll need to pick our moments.

The water is sitting at 72°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – a nice little bonus for the skin.

The first few days are a bit of a write-off, honestly. We’ve got some small, weak swell around Thursday the 10th and Friday the 11th, but it’s nothing to get excited about. The combined energy is only 259 (moderate) on Thursday, and it drops to a paltry 73 (weak) on Friday morning. Those are just poor surf conditions. We’re looking at a gap of a couple of days with no real recommendations.

Now, Sunday the 13th is where things start to perk up. The morning brings a glassy 4ft swell from the NNW with a period of 13 seconds (moderate groundswell). The combined energy jumps to 558 (moderate), and with the glassy conditions, it’s going to be clean. The afternoon keeps that energy going at 554 (moderate) with 5ft and a 12-second period, though the wind swings a little cross-off. This is the first real standout of the forecast – it’s not massive, but it’s clean and fun. The 4ft to 5ft range is just right for a beginner-friendly reef break, though it might be a bit much for absolute groms.

We then get a bit of a lull Monday and Tuesday the 14th and 15th, with onshore winds and some choppy conditions. The swell bumps up to 6ft on Tuesday afternoon, but it’s a short-period windswell (6 seconds) blowing straight into a cross-onshore 25 km/h wind – that’s a messy, blown-out mess. The 6ft is over the 5ft mark, so it’s getting a bit big for beginners, but with that wind, it’s only for the hardcore or the kite surfers, honestly.

The long-range window is more promising. The real standout comes on Monday the 21st. The morning shows a solid 6ft swell from the NNW with a long 13-second period, and the combined energy skyrockets to 1151 (strong). The wind is light and cross-off, so the waves will be clean. This is the best on offer in the whole outlook. The 6ft is in that sweet spot for experienced surfers, but it’s getting a bit big for beginners. The long period means it’ll have some punch, and the NNW direction is right in the optimum range for this sheltered spot. Crowds are listed as “sometimes,” so you might have a few others out, but it’ll be worth it.

The following days, Tuesday the 22nd and Wednesday the 23rd, have some decent options too. Wednesday morning is glassy with a 3ft swell and a very long 16-second period. The combined energy is 639 (moderate). That long period is a double-edged sword at a reef break – it’ll have great shape and energy, but the sets will be spaced out. It’s a good session for a patient surfer.

The last few days, Thursday the 24th and Friday the 25th, clean up again with offshore winds and solid 5ft to 5ft swells from the NNW. The 5ft on Thursday morning (combined energy 759, moderate) is another good call, but the week after the 21st is a bit more uncertain. The quality is there, but the long-range nature means it’s less of a sure thing.

So, to wrap it up: Sunday the 13th is your first proper look, but Monday the 21st is the true standout – a solid, clean, strong groundswell. Don’t bother with the first few days.

Rusty.

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