Playa de Traba Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s shaping up for Playa de Traba over the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, but we’ve got a couple of windows to keep an eye on.

First up, the immediate forecast. We’re coming in with some light rain Saturday morning; water temp is sitting at 63°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year. Swell is around 7 ft from the west with a short 8-second period, and the combined energy is moderate at 513. Wind is southerly at 12 mph, blowing cross-offshore, so it’s clean. That said, it’s not a standout – the wave comment flags it as marginal, so don’t get too fired up. Saturday afternoon sees the swell drop a touch to 6 ft from the WNW, period still short at 8 seconds, energy at 393. Wind goes SSW at 9 mph, still cross-off and clean. Surfable, but nothing special.

Sunday, the 30th, the swell holds around 6 ft from the WNW with a slightly longer 9-second period, but the wind switches to a cross-shore from the SW at 6 mph in the morning. It’s light, but that cross-shore direction brings a little chop, and conditions are only marginal. By Sunday afternoon, the wind picks up to 12 mph from the WSW, cross-shore with a cross-chop – poor conditions.

Monday the 31st through to the end of the first week is pretty grim. Swell sizes range from 2 ft to 7 ft, but the wind is mostly cross-onshore from the north, bringing light wind ripples and making for marginal to poor surf. The energy drops right off, with values as low as 53 on Wednesday afternoon. Not worth paddling out.

Now, there’s a gap of several days here with no real recommendations. We’re looking at a quiet stretch from Monday the 2nd of September right through until Friday the 6th.

Then, on the morning of Saturday the 5th of September, we see a pulse of longer-period groundswell – 5 ft from the NW with a 12-second period and combined energy of 697. That’s moderate to strong energy. But, the wind is cross-shore from the NE at 12 mph, which puts a cross-chop on the face. The wave comment calls it marginal. This one’s just okay, not a standout.

The real standout comes on the morning of Sunday the 6th of September. We’ve got 4 ft from the NW with an 11-second period – good, solid groundswell. Energy is moderate at 399, but the wind is light from the ENE at 6 mph and blowing cross-offshore. That means clean, glassy conditions. The wave comment says “expect good surf conditions.” For a beginner-friendly, consistent break like Playa de Traba, this is the session to target. Light crowds possible, but with clean lines and that offshore wind, it’s your best bet. Just remember, with that longer period, the sets might have longer gaps, but the shape will be there.

After that, Monday the 7th of September through Wednesday the 9th, the wind turns onshore or cross-shore again and swell drops off. Poor conditions return.

Then, on the 13th of September, we see a big spike in energy. Sunday morning brings 10 ft from the WSW with an 11-second period and a massive combined energy of 2213 – that’s very strong. However, the guidance says that at this size, it’s predicted to be too big for this break. That’s expert-only territory, and even then, it might be a washing machine. Wind is light from the NE at 6 mph, cross-shore, but the size is overwhelming. The afternoon drops to 8 ft, still too heavy for most. Leave this one for the big-wave chargers only.

To wrap it up: if you’re looking for clean, fun waves, aim for Sunday the 6th of September. Everything else in this 16-day window is either too small, too windy, or too big for a comfortable session at Playa de Traba.

Stay stoked,
Rusty

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