Surf Forecasts:
Plentzia surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 10s period, NW swell with 576 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Plentzia this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Plentzia in the next 16 days are 1.7m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Plentzia over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, Rusty here, and I've gotta be straight with you – the next couple of weeks at Plentzia are looking pretty grim. We're in for a long stretch of small, weak, and messy surf, with a few flickers of hope way down the track. Let's walk through it.
The water is sitting at 75°F, which is a solid 5°F warmer than normal for this time of year – you'll be comfortable in a shorty or even boardshorts if you're a local.
Right now, we're starting with a blank run. The first real chance to get wet doesn't show up until Saturday morning, the 22nd of August. Even then, it's only a 4 ft NW swell with a weak 9-second period, and the combined energy is a paltry 230. The wind is a light breeze from the ENE, cross-offshore, which will keep it clean, but the waves are described as "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions." It's not great, but it's the best we've got for a while.
After that, we're back into a long, dry spell. From Sunday the 23rd right through to Wednesday the 26th, it's all poor surf – small, onshore, and choppy. A few days of nothing. Then, on Thursday morning, the 27th of August, the outlook finally shows some promise. We've got a 7 ft NW groundswell rolling in with a solid 10-second period. The combined energy jumps to 753, which is a proper moderate energy. The wind is a slight air from the SSE, cross-offshore, and the forecast says "expect good surf conditions." This is the standout of the entire forecast. It's a bigger swell, so it'll be better suited to experienced surfers, and the clean conditions should make for some fun, punchy waves. The direction is NW, which is close to the optimum WNW direction for this sheltered spot.
The following Friday morning, the 28th of August, also has a bit of life – a 4 ft NW swell with the wind glassy from the WNW. It's a smaller day, but glassy conditions are a treat. The energy is only 196, so it's weak, but for a clean, small-wave session, it could be a nice way to wind down the week.
After that, from the 29th of August onwards, it's back to the same old story – weak, short-period NW swells, cross-onshore winds, and poor surf. The tail end of the forecast, into early September, shows a blip of 6 ft to 5 ft NW swell on the 2nd, but it's all onshore and messy with a short 8-second period and only moderate energy.
So, here's the bottom line: sit tight for a week, then Thursday the 27th and Friday the 28th are your best bets. The Thursday standout is the one to circle on the calendar – it's the biggest, cleanest, and most consistent wave we're going to see.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Thu night. Warm (max 23°C on Wed afternoon, min 18°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 72mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Warm (max 21°C on Fri night, min 17°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NW 7 | NNW 6 | WNW 8 | NW 13 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
7 | 6 | 6 | 134 | 303 | 377 | 538 | 565 | 530 | 388 | 230 | 172 | 187 | 91 | 77 | 67 | 44 | 35 | 35 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | on |
High Tide | 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 | 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 | |||||||
— | 7:20 | — | — | 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 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 5 | 2 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | 22 | 26 | 11 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 7 |
Temp °C | 22 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
Feels °C | 23 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | WNW 8 | NW 13 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 |
5 | 6 | 6 | 134 | 303 | 377 | 538 | 565 | 530 | 388 | 230 | 172 | 187 | 91 | 77 | 67 | 44 | 35 | 35 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 7 | WNW 8 | NW 11 | NW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 10 | — |
7 | 6 | 5 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | — | NW 7 | W 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
6 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NNW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 432 | 384 | 499 | 6 | 17 | 40 | 6 | 40 | 40 | 6 | 2 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 4 | 4 | 89 | 172 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Pais Vasco | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Spain (Europe) | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.











