Surf Forecasts:
Plentzia surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 11s period, NW swell with 334 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period with NW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Plentzia this week:
The surf forecast for Plentzia over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 8s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Plentzia in the next 16 days are 1.2m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Plentzia over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a good hard look at the surf outlook for Plentzia over the next couple of weeks. I’ll be honest with you, it’s not looking like a classic stretch, but there are a couple of windows where we might snag something rideable if we’re patient.
The overall pattern is for a lot of small, weak, and messy surf. We’ve got a long run of days where the energy is just too low to get excited about. The swell window is mainly from the northwest, but it’s not delivering much punch for the most part. We’re looking at a lot of ankle-biters and knee-high slop, with the wind often messing things up. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no drama there.
The first few days are a total write-off. From Sunday the 16th through to Tuesday the 19th, we’ve got waves that are barely breaking, with energy readings in the weak range. It’s just not worth paddling out for that. Just leave the board in the car.
Now, we start to see a slight shift on Thursday the 20th. The morning is glassy with a bit of WNW swell at 2ft, but the energy is still weak. The afternoon cleans up with a cross-offshore breeze and the swell bumps up to 2ft with a period of 10 seconds, and the energy gets a little more moderate. Still, these are very ordinary conditions. It’s surfable, but you’ll be fighting for every inch.
The best bet in this whole stretch looks like Friday the 21st. The morning session is the one to target. We’ve got 4ft of NW groundswell with an 11-second period, and the energy jumps up to a moderate level. It’s clean with a light cross-offshore breeze. This is the standout of the first week. Plentzia is a sheltered spot, so it needs a solid push of swell to get going, and this is the most push we see for a while. Keep your expectations in check though – it’s not going to be a classic, just the best of a poor bunch. The afternoon gets a bit cross-shore and messy, so stick to the morning.
Saturday the 22nd has some potential in the morning too, with a glassy 3ft and a 9-second period. Energy is moderate, but it's on the smaller side. After that, we’re back into a slump. Sunday the 23rd drops off, and from Monday the 24th through Thursday the 27th, the models are showing nothing but poor surf. The swell is tiny, the wind is onshore, and it’s just not worth the effort. There’s a three to four day stretch where you should find something else to do.
Looking further out, into the second week, things don't get any better. The end of the month just fades away. Friday the 28th has a bump in size in the afternoon – 5ft – but the period is a weak 5 seconds and the energy is only moderate, which will make for a mushy, crumbly mess. Then Saturday and Sunday the 30th and 31st have a bit more size, 4ft to 4ft, but with onshore winds and short periods, it’s going to be choppy and poor. Nothing really solidifies.
So, the honest truth is, there’s really only one window that’s worth your time, and that’s Friday morning, the 21st of August. Even then, it’s not going to be epic, but it’s the only time the swell, wind, and energy all come together enough to make it worthwhile. Everything else is a flat, blown-out, or just too weak to bother with. Keep an eye on the forecasts, but don’t hold your breath.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sun afternoon, min 20°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed afternoon. Warm (max 23°C on Tue night, min 19°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NNW 6 | NW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 8 | NNW 6 | N 6 | NNW 5 | N 4 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NW 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
44 | 78 | 73 | 45 | 26 | 54 | 26 | 44 | 34 | 15 | 5 | 9 | 15 | 39 | 106 | 102 | 334 | 292 | 235 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy |
High Tide | 7:41AM3.65m | 7:57PM3.80m | 8:18AM3.47m | 8:35PM3.51m | 8:55AM3.25m | 9:14PM3.18m | 9:34AM3.02m | 9:58PM2.87m | 10:23AM2.79m | 10:57PM2.61m | 11:32AM2.61m | 00:26AM2.46m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:26AM0.01m | 1:38PM0.16m | 2:04AM0.23m | 2:17PM0.38m | 2:42AM0.51m | 2:59PM0.65m | 3:22AM0.81m | 3:45PM0.94m | 4:08AM1.10m | 4:41PM1.20m | 5:09AM1.34m | 5:58PM1.37m | |||||||
— | 7:16 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | |
9:15 | — | — | 9:14 | — | — | 9:12 | — | — | 9:10 | — | — | 9:08 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:06 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 21 |
Feels °C | 23 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NNW 6 | NW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 8 | NNW 6 | N 6 | NNW 5 | WNW 8 | N 5 | N 5 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NW 10 |
44 | 78 | 73 | 45 | 26 | 54 | 26 | 44 | 34 | 15 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 106 | 102 | 334 | 292 | 235 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 6 | — | — | NNW 7 | NW 8 | — | NW 8 | — | — | NNW 7 | NNE 4 | NW 7 | NW 10 | NW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | — | — | — |
28 | — | — | 30 | 21 | — | 15 | — | — | 5 | 2 | 2 | 15 | 39 | 14 | 28 | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 10 | — | — | W 8 | NW 8 | NW 11 | WNW 8 | NW 11 | — | NW 12 | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | 1 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 31 | — | 39 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 4 | — | — | NE 3 | NE 4 | NNE 5 | NNE 4 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | — | 4 | 4 | 27 | 8 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 15 | 15 | 21 | 6 | 4 | 89 | 4 | 4 | 89 | 428 | 503 | 497 | 238 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Pais Vasco | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Spain (Europe) | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Information about the Plentzia Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Plentzia provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Plentzia can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Plentzia 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 (Plentzia) 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 Plentzia 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.
Plentzia is 8 km (5 miles) from the city of Getxo. If you plan a holiday in Pais Vasco, look for hotels and other accommodation in Getxo. Getxo has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











