Playa de Gaztetape Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, but I’ll switch to feet and miles for this one.

We’ve got a bit of a wait on our hands. The surf this week is pretty ordinary, but there’s a couple of proper sessions in the second week that are worth circling on the calendar. Right now, things start off small and a bit frustrating, but don’t write it off just yet.

First up, Playa de Gaztetape. The water is sitting at 73°, which is *much warmer than normal* for this time of year – that’s a real treat. You’ll notice it the second you paddle out. But on Saturday afternoon, forget it. Swell is only 2ft from the WNW with a weak 8-second period and only 51 (weak energy) behind it. Just a dribble. Not worth getting wet.

Sunday morning is where it gets interesting. We’ve got a clean 4ft groundswell from the NW, period jumping to 13 seconds, and the energy is a solid 540 (moderate). Glassy conditions, no wind. That’s a good combo for a beginner-friendly wave. The afternoon holds similar, with 5ft and 574 energy, still glassy. Monday morning is also nice – 4ft, NW, glassy – but the energy drops a notch to 423. Still very surfable, though.

Tuesday onwards gets messy. Tuesday afternoon sees onshore wind and a short 6-second period chopping up a 6ft swell. Wednesday and Thursday are cross-on and lumpy, with energy dropping. Not your friend.

Now for the standouts. Circle Saturday the 19th and Tuesday the 22nd.

Saturday morning, 19th September – Playa de Gaztetape is firing. Swell hits 7ft from the NW, 13-second period, and that’s a big, long-period groundswell. The combined energy is 1521 (strong). Winds are glassy – offshore from the WNW at 6 mph. This is excellent surf but at 7ft, it’s pushing into experienced territory. Beginners should sit this one out. The long period means it’ll peel nicely here, not just close out.

Then Tuesday morning, 22nd September – the pick of the entire forecast. Swell bumps to 8ft from the NW, 13-second period, and the energy absolutely roars at 1982 (very strong). Glassy with a light offshore breeze from the NE at 3 mph. This is excellent, powerful surf for experienced surfers only. The crowd might show up – it’s listed as “sometimes” – but with conditions like that, expect a few locals in the water.

Conditions back off after that, with Wednesday and Thursday returning to clean but smaller waves.

So, to sum it up: the first few days are small but clean for beginners. The real gold is the 19th and 22nd – two proper sessions with strong NW groundswell and glassy winds. The long period will make for better shaped waves, longer waits between sets, but well worth it.

Rusty.

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