Playa de Barrika Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Hey everyone, it’s Rusty. Let’s take a good look at what’s coming up for Playa de Barrika over the next couple of weeks. Straight up, the first few days are going to be a real struggle. We’ve got tiny swell and mostly poor conditions through until Thursday the 20th. Don’t bother paddling out Monday the 17th through Wednesday the 19th – it’s pretty much flat with a few 1ft to 2ft ripples and no real energy (combined energy a weak 12-56). Water temp is sitting at 76°, which is *much warmer than normal* for this time of year, so if you’re in the water it’ll feel like a bath.

Things start to show a little life on Thursday morning the 20th. We see a jump to 4ft of NW groundswell with a nice 11-second period, combined energy hitting 278, and glassy conditions early. By Thursday afternoon, it cleans up a bit more with 4ft NW swell and energy at 427 – this is surfable but nothing special, just ordinary.

Friday the 21st and Saturday the 22nd are a write-off for quality with light rain and cross-onshore winds messing up the 5ft swell. The ENE offshore on Saturday morning is a tease with 3ft and clean lines, but it's just not enough push.

Then there’s a real quiet spell from Sunday the 23rd right through to Wednesday the 27th. Swell drops back under 3ft most days, energy is low, and the wind is mostly cross or cross-off. Nothing worth dragging the wettie on for.

Alright, here’s the deal – the standout window arrives later. Mark your calendars for Friday the 28th of August. That morning we get 8ft NW swell, energy at 972, but it’s a bit cross-on with the light WNW breeze. The real prize is Friday afternoon: 10ft NW swell with 9-second period, combined energy soaring to 1351, and clean cross-off wind from the north. This is solid, powerful surf – probably too much for beginners, but intermediate and above will have a ball.

But the true gem of the whole outlook? Saturday the 29th of August. Saturday morning at Playa de Barrika is absolutely pumping. We’ve got a massive 15ft NW groundswell with a very long 14-second period, combined energy screaming at 6709 – that’s serious, heavy water. The wind? Dead calm, glassy. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers only, especially as long-period NW swells really stand up and bowl on this sheltered reef break. If you’re a confident charger, that morning is your session. The afternoon drops to 13ft NW and goes cross-shore, still big but less clean.

Following that, Sunday the 30th stays chunky with 6ft to 7ft clean-ish waves, but by Monday the 31st, the wind swings hard onshore and the whole thing gets messy. The first week of September looks like it fades back to average.

So to sum it up: Playa de Barrika is a no-go until the 20th, then it’s mostly average waves until the real big hitters arrive on the 28th and 29th of August. The absolute best on offer is Saturday the 29th morning – huge, glassy, and for experts only.

Stay stoked,
Rusty

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