Surf Forecasts:
El Sardinero - Primera surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 11s period, NNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 11s period, NNW swell with 638 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 12s period with NW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for El Sardinero - Primera this week:
The surf forecast for El Sardinero - Primera over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at El Sardinero - Primera in the next 16 days are 1.7m 11s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Sardinero - Primera over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, looking at El Sardinero. Gotta be honest, we're looking at a dry spell for the better part of the next week. Nothing but flat, weak conditions on the horizon.
Right now, through Saturday the 23rd, it's a total bust. The swell is tiny, under 3 feet, and the wind is all wrong—cross-on, onshore, or just too light to help. The energy is basically zero. The report says "poor surf conditions" and I'm not arguing. You’d be better off cleaning your board.
We finally see a change on Thursday afternoon, August 20th. A 4-foot swell from the NNW with a 10-second period rolls in, and the wind goes glassy. It’s clean, but still just on the edge of being worthwhile.
The only real window that stands out is Friday morning, August 21st. That same groundswell holds at 5 feet with that nice 10-second period, and the wind is glassy again. You'll have clean, rideable surf. The wave energy reads the highest we'll see. It's not a big swell, but after this flat spell, it’s your best bet and it will be well worth a look. Expect the crowd to be there with you.
Then it fades out again through the weekend. The next interesting pulse is way off, on Sunday morning, August 30th. That shows a solid 5-foot NW groundswell with a 12-second period and light offshore winds. The energy is strong. That's a good setup on paper, but we’re talking two weeks out, so keep an eye on it.
Water temp when the first swell shows on the 20th is about 73°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year.
Patience is the name of the game. That Friday the 21st morning is your golden hour. I’m Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sun night, min 18°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Wed night. Warm (max 21°C on Wed night, min 17°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | ||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | N 7 | NNE 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 11 | NW 10 | NNW 11 | NNW 12 | NNW 11 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 51 | 36 | 44 | 31 | 12 | 28 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 32 | 154 | 532 | 604 | 471 | 453 | 312 | 127 | 99 | 83 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-on | cross-on | off | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 8:07AM3.78m | 8:34PM3.90m | 8:43AM3.55m | 9:13PM3.58m | 9:23AM3.30m | 9:57PM3.26m | 10:16AM3.05m | 10:58PM2.99m | 11:38AM2.87m | 00:29AM2.85m | 1:23PM2.88m | 2:01AM2.90m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:03AM0.73m | 2:12PM0.62m | 2:39AM0.99m | 2:51PM0.91m | 3:17AM1.27m | 3:32PM1.23m | 4:03AM1.53m | 4:25PM1.55m | 5:04AM1.74m | 5:44PM1.79m | 6:37AM1.81m | 7:32PM1.81m | |||||||
 | | |  | |  | | | |  |  | |  | | |  | | | | |
 | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — |
 | 9:16 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:14 | — | — | 9:13 | — | — | 9:10 | — | — | 9:08 | — | — | 9:07 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 |
Feels °C | 24 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | N 7 | NNE 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 11 | NW 10 | NNW 11 | NNW 12 | NNW 11 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 7 |
| kJ | 51 | 36 | 44 | 31 | 12 | 28 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 32 | 154 | 532 | 604 | 471 | 453 | 312 | 127 | 99 | 83 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NNW 8 | NW 8 | N 8 | NNW 6 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NNW 12 | N 8 | — | N 11 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | ENE 4 | NE 4 | NNW 8 |
| kJ | 21 | 17 | 16 | 7 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 28 | 1 | — | 21 | 33 | 18 | 18 | 7 | 4 | 26 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | N 8 | NW 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | NNW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 5 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 43 | 13 | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 5 | — | — | N 5 | — | NNW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 3 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | — | 5 | — | 64 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 13 | 15 | 22 | 13 | 13 | 438 | 537 | 351 | 558 | 13 | 22 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 22 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Spain - Cantabria | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Spain (Europe) | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the El Sardinero - Primera Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for El Sardinero - Primera provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at El Sardinero - Primera can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our El Sardinero - Primera surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (El Sardinero - Primera) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for El Sardinero - Primera may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
El Sardinero - Primera is 9 km (6 miles) from the city of El Astillero. If you plan a holiday in Spain - Cantabria, look for hotels and other accommodation in El Astillero. El Astillero has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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