Surf Forecasts:
El Sardinero - Primera surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 11s period, NNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 11s period, NNW swell with 560 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 2AM (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 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 7s. 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 1.6m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for El Sardinero - Primera over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, listen up, crew. Rusty here. It’s been a quiet stretch at El Sardinero - Primera. The surf has been tiny and messy for the first few days, with nothing worth paddling out for. The water’s sitting at 74°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so that’s a bit of a comfort while you’re waiting.
We finally get a glimpse of something on Thursday, August 20th. The morning sees a small NW swell pushing 4ft, with a period of 11 seconds. The energy is moderate (273), but the conditions are just ordinary. Not a total write-off, but nothing to get excited about.
Friday, August 21st is where it starts to look a bit more like it. The swell builds to 5ft from the NNW, with a period of 10 seconds. The energy is strong (548), and we’re seeing clean, cross-off winds. The afternoon holds up at 5ft (471 energy). This is the best on offer in the first week – decent, surfable waves, and the wind is behaving. It’s not a world-beater, but it’s a solid session.
Saturday, August 22nd drops back to 4ft with offshore winds in the morning, but the energy is only moderate (235). It’s clean, but ordinary.
There’s a big gap with nothing recommended after that until Thursday, August 27th. That morning, a solid 8ft NW swell hits, with a period of 9 seconds. The energy is very strong (980). The wind is cross-off, so it’s clean, but this is a big step up – over 8ft, so this is one for the experts only. The afternoon is still big at 7ft but the wind kicks up to 22 mph, making it a messy.
Then, Friday, August 28th brings a nice drop back to 5ft in the morning, with a 10-second period and clean cross-off winds. The energy is strong (405). This is a strong second option – much more manageable than the day before.
The last week of the forecast is a write-off. Tiny waves, poor conditions, and not a single recommendation. It’s a long dry spell. Sometimes the ocean just shuts down.
Signing off, Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 23°C on Tue afternoon, min 18°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Fri night. Warm (max 20°C on Fri afternoon, min 16°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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 6 | NNW 7 | NNE 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 11 | NW 12 | NW 11 | NNW 10 | NNW 11 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | N 6 | N 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 12 | 21 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 144 | 273 | 175 | 560 | 530 | 453 | 339 | 179 | 166 | 151 | 79 | 67 | 96 | 70 | 76 | 31 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 2:42PM3.07m | 3:05AM3.10m | 3:33PM3.32m | 3:49AM3.33m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 8:11AM1.69m | 8:51PM1.63m | 9:11AM1.44m | 9:40PM1.38m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | |  |  |  |  | | | |  | | |  | | | | |
 | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:14 | — | — | 9:13 | — | — | 9:10 | — | — | 9:08 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:06 | — | — | 9:05 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | — | 3 | 6 | 1 |
Temp °C | 21 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 20 |
Feels °C | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | NNE 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 11 | NW 12 | NW 11 | NNW 10 | NNW 11 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | N 6 | N 6 |
| kJ | 12 | 21 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 144 | 273 | 175 | 560 | 530 | 453 | 339 | 179 | 166 | 151 | 79 | 67 | 96 | 70 | 76 | 31 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | N 8 | NNW 6 | NW 8 | NNW 5 | NNW 7 | — | N 8 | — | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 7 | NNW 7 | — | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 |
| kJ | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 9 | — | 11 | — | 18 | 18 | 18 | 56 | 39 | 31 | 17 | 17 | — | 4 | 3 | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | NW 8 | N 7 | N 7 | NNW 7 | — | — | N 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 5 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 5 | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 36 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 13 | 433 | 365 | 316 | 439 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 22 | 13 | 132 | 492 | 483 |
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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