Playa de Barrika Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what the ocean’s got cooking for us at Playa de Barrika over the next couple of weeks.

Right now, things are flat. We’re looking at a long, quiet stretch from now all the way through to Saturday, July 19th. That’s a full week of tiny, weak surf and mostly poor conditions. The energy is just not there, with combined energy readings barely scraping into double digits most days. It’s a real bummer.

The first real pulse of life shows up on the morning of Monday, July 20th. Overnight, a new NW swell starts to fill in, pushing 6 ft with a period of 7 seconds. The combined energy jumps to 261, which is a decent kick but the conditions are still described as "very ordinary." However, by the afternoon, things get interesting. The wind swings offshore from the ENE at 12 mph, cleaning up that 7 ft NW swell. The energy jumps to 428, and it's looking like a proper session. That afternoon is the first real standout, but honestly, it's still a bit raw.

The true standout, the one you’ve been waiting for, arrives on Tuesday, July 21st. We’ve got a solid 10 ft swell from the NW, with a period of 9 seconds. The combined energy is pumping at 1227. Tuesday morning starts with a light cross-offshore breeze, but Tuesday afternoon is where it’s at – offshore wind from the E at 9 mph, glassy clean lines, and that solid 10 ft swell. This is big, powerful surf. Over 8 ft, so this is strictly for experienced surfers. Beginners should stay well clear. The swell direction is NW, which matches the optimum direction for this reef break perfectly.

Wednesday, July 22nd, still has size. The morning is glassy with a 7 ft NW swell and energy at 760. That’s a magic window, with the wind dropping to a glassy calm from the south. It’s going to be smooth as butter. The afternoon gets chopped up by a cross-shore wind, so get it early.

After that, the swell fades quickly. Thursday, July 23rd, offers some clean but ordinary waves in the 4 ft range, and by Friday, July 24th, we’re back to flat, weak conditions for the final few days of the forecast.

So, to sum it up: don’t even bother checking it until Monday the 20th. Your best bet is the Tuesday the 21st for the biggest, most powerful surf, and the Wednesday morning the 22nd for a glassy, cleaner, slightly smaller option. The water temp is unremarkable for this time of year, so a steamer might be handy.

Stay stoked, and I’ll see you in the water.

Rusty.

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