Playa de Barrika Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let's be straight with you—this stretch is a proper test of patience. We're looking at a real dry spell for most of the next two weeks at Playa de Barrika. It's a sheltered reef, and it needs the right combo to fire. For the first few days, we just don't have it.

The water's sitting at 75°F, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, a solid 5°F above average. You won't need a thick suit, that's for sure.

The early part of the week is a total write-off. Sunday the 23rd sees tiny, weak swell with a cross-off breeze and poor conditions. Not worth the paddle. Monday and Tuesday (24th and 25th) are much the same—ankle-biters and messy. Moderate energy starts to creep in on Thursday the 27th with a 4ft WNW swell at 8 seconds, but the wind is all wrong, making it choppy and messy. All of this, still poor.

Friday the 28th brings the first real juice—a proper pulse of 10ft NW groundswell with a period of 12 seconds, and the wave energy jumps to a solid 2673. But it's cross-on and bumpy, and that size on a sheltered reef is going to be a washing machine. This is expert territory, and even then, it's not going to be pretty. More of a look-at-the-ocean day than a surf day.

Then we get our first real window. Saturday morning the 29th sees the swell drop to a more manageable 6ft from the NW with a 10-second period. The wind goes glassy, and the energy is a moderate 589. This is the standout of the whole run—clean, with good shape potential and light winds. Crowds are sometimes an issue here, so get in early. The afternoon stays clean with a cross-off, but that glassy morning is the pick.

Sunday the 30th and Monday the 31st are still rideable, with 5ft and 3ft of NW swell, glassy and clean winds. But it's ordinary, not amazing. The swell is easing, and you'll be scratching for the better sets.

Then we hit another flat, drawn-out patch. From the 1st through the 4th of September, it's back to tiny waves and poor conditions. Nothing doing.

Hope returns on Saturday the 5th of September with a clean 4ft NW swell and offshore winds. It's a return to the more ordinary, surfable conditions, but not a classic.

The final few days show another pulse of energy coming in. The 7th of September has a 8ft NNW groundswell, but it’s with light rain and a clean cross-off, making it a possibility. However, at 8ft, this is big for the spot and probably one for the experienced crew. It's a long way out, so treat that one as promising but not certain.

The long story short: there's a tiny window on Saturday the 29th that's your best bet for a proper, clean session. The rest is either flat, windy, or too big. If you're not desperate, wait for that Saturday glass-off.

Stay patient,
Rusty

Read more