Surf Forecasts:
Plentzia surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 9s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 11s period, NW swell with 551 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 9s 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 9s 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 1.6m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Plentzia over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, family, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you. The next couple of weeks around Plentzia are looking pretty grim for paddling out. We’ve got a long stretch of poor conditions, messy winds, and waves that just don’t have any punch. It’s going to be a test of patience.
For the first stretch, from the 18th right through to the 29th of August, it’s a total write-off. Day after day, the surf is either too small, too wind-blown, or just plain ugly. We’re talking about a solid ten days to two weeks of mostly knee-to-waist high slop with onshore breezes messing up any chance of a clean face. There’s a little bump of energy around the 20th and 21st, but the wind is howling onshore and it’s just gonna be a crumbly mess. Even the glassy mornings, like the 22nd and 28th, only offer up “surfable” waves that are so weak and disorganized, you’ll be fighting for a crumbly shoulder. The water is much warmer than normal for this time of year, which is a bit odd, but it doesn't make the waves any better. This is one of those stretches where you check the cams, sigh, and go back to bed.
The swell energy does try to pick up around the 30th of August, with a moderate pulse (372), but the wind is all over the place. You’ve got a few mornings with light winds, but the waves are still just average, nothing that will get your heart racing. The 30th afternoon has some cross-shore chop, and by the 31st, the wind is back on it. It’s a whole lot of “almost” but never “yes.”
Now, here’s the light at the end of the tunnel. Tuesday, the 1st of September, is our standout. The afternoon sees a real change. A clean, cross-offshore breeze from the NE, and a proper groundswell starting to roll in at 5ft with a solid 11-second period. The combined energy jumps to a strong 606, and the conditions finally align. This is the one to circle on the calendar. It’s not just the size; it’s the quality. This is the kind of day that makes you remember why you put up with the flat spells. The direction is right, the wind is right, and the water should be clean. It’s a promise, but a good one.
Unfortunately, the window slams shut just as fast. Wednesday the 2nd of September brings more stormy conditions with gusty onshore winds and a rising, messy swell that will be hard to surf. So, that’s the story: a long, flat, and frustrating wait, but there’s a real chance at a decent wave on the 1st of September. It’s over a week away, so keep your fingers crossed and hope the long-range forecast holds. It’s not much, but it’s something.
Stay patient, keep the boards waxed, and I’ll see you out there when it’s worth it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Thu night. Warm (max 23°C on Tue afternoon, min 18°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Sun afternoon, min 18°C on Fri morning). 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 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NNW 6 | WNW 8 | NW 13 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
45 | 31 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 134 | 263 | 286 | 476 | 432 | 469 | 341 | 203 | 168 | 109 | 67 | 54 | 43 | 62 | 94 | 36 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-off | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:55AM3.25m | 9:14PM3.18m | 9:34AM3.02m | 9:58PM2.87m | 10:23AM2.79m | 10:57PM2.61m | 11:32AM2.61m | 00:26AM2.46m | 1:10PM2.57m | 2:03AM2.51m | 2:31PM2.72m | 3:07AM2.69m | 3:25PM2.94m | 3:51AM2.90m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:59PM0.65m | 3:22AM0.81m | 3:45PM0.94m | 4:08AM1.10m | 4:41PM1.20m | 5:09AM1.34m | 5:58PM1.37m | 6:33AM1.45m | 7:29PM1.37m | 7:57AM1.37m | 8:41PM1.20m | 8:59AM1.17m | 9:32PM0.97m | ||||||||
7:18 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:10 | — | — | 9:08 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:06 | — | — | 9:04 | — | — | 9:02 | — | — | 9:00 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 2 | 3 | — | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 21 |
Feels °C | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 20 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 8 | NW 8 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 5 | NW 13 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NNW 7 | W 8 | NNW 6 |
45 | 31 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 134 | 263 | 286 | 476 | 432 | 469 | 341 | 203 | 168 | 109 | 67 | 54 | 43 | 62 | 1 | 36 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 3 | W 8 | W 8 | NW 9 |
— | — | 8 | 6 | 6 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WNW 8 | — | NW 11 | W 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 |
— | — | 6 | — | 5 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNE 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | NE 4 | NE 4 | — | WSW 3 | NNW 6 | — |
— | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 7 | 6 | — | 2 | 94 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 4 | 499 | 497 | 387 | 478 | 6 | 6 | 21 | 21 | 12 | 21 | 6 | 0 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 89 | 55 | 88 | 89 | 4 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Pais Vasco | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Spain (Europe) | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











