Playa de Barrika Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Playa de Barrika.

To be straight with you, the next couple of weeks are pretty flat and quiet. We’ve got a stretch of days with nothing worth paddling out for, and it’s not until July 14th that we see anything that even qualifies as surfable. So yeah, there’s a big gap of flat or poor conditions from now until then. Don’t bother checking the tide charts; leave the board in the car.

Friday morning July 3rd kicks off the only real window of the first week, but it’s nothing to shout about. There’s a small 4ft northwest swell rolling in with a long 12-second period – that's proper groundswell energy, which is good, but it’s a sheltered reef break, and the combined energy is moderate at (374). Winds are glassy from the WNW at just 3 mph, so conditions are clean. Still, it’s a tiny wave for a beginner-level spot that’s inconsistent and sometimes gets a crowd. It’ll be surfable, but don’t expect any gems.

Saturday morning July 4th stays small, 3ft from the northwest, and the period drops to 10 seconds. Glassy ENE winds at 3 mph make for a clean surface, but the energy (160) is weak. It’s ordinary. Sunday morning July 5th gives us a 2ft swell from the NNW with an 11-second period, and light offshore ENE wind. Clean, but honestly, you’re barely riding anything.

Then we hit a real dead zone. From Sunday afternoon on July 5th straight through to the morning of Tuesday July 14th, it’s a solid stretch of poor surf or no-surf conditions. The swell drops to under 2ft, periods get short, and the wind, though occasionally offshore, just can’t make anything of it. The combined energy values dip into double digits (97 down to 31). There’s nothing doing.

Tuesday morning July 14th brings the best of the whole forecast. A 2ft northwest swell, but here’s the kicker – the period jumps to 13 seconds, which is long period groundswell. The combined energy climbs back to (197) – moderate. Winds are offshore from the ENE at 6 mph, so it’ll be clean. For Playa de Barrika, a long period NW groundswell is the optimum direction, and this is as good as it gets in this run. However, the size is tiny, and the spot is inconsistent and sheltered. It’s a standout only by default. Expect it to be small but shaped. Crowds are possible.

Friday morning July 17th sees a 3ft northwest swell, short 8-second period, with glassy calm wind from the west. Combined energy at (110) – weak. It’s surfable, but ordinary.

That’s the lot. A few very small windows, nothing for the rippers. The 14th is your best bet if you’re desperate for a longboard session.

Rusty.

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