
Surf Forecasts:
La Bocana surf forecast from 22 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 24s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 28 Jul, 6AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 18s period, SSW swell with 2,030 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 22 Jul, 6PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 13s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for La Bocana this week:
The surf forecast for La Bocana over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 6PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at La Bocana in the next 16 days are 1.8m 18s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 6AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 9s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 29) at 3AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6PM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 2ft (0.6m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 24s |
| Most Powerful | 6AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for La Bocana over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid run of surf coming up at La Bocana through the next 16 days, though not all of it is plain sailing. The first couple of days are a write-off, so don’t bother paddling out until Friday 24 July. That’s where the real fun kicks in.
La Bocana is a river mouth break, exposed to the SSW swell direction, which matches nicely with what the swell is doing. It’s inconsistent and rare to see it fire, so when it lines up, you want to be on it. The water temp is 85.8°, about average for the time of year, so a steamer’s not needed.
From Friday 24 July morning, the wind goes glassy calm and the swell is 3.0 ft from the SSW with a very long period of 24 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell, and the combined energy is strong at 1410. For a wave this clean and with that much grunt, it’s going to be a standout session for experienced surfers. That long period will make for nicely shaped lines at the river mouth, and the sets will have some time between them, making it easier to get out back. Saturday 25 July morning repeats the trick: glassy again, 3.3 ft SSW swell, 21 second period, and energy at 1266. Those two mornings are the pick of the lot. Sunday 26 July morning is also glassy with a 3.9 ft SSW swell and 19 second period, energy at 1238 – another beauty, but note that by this stage the swell is building and it’s still solid for a river break.
From Monday 27 July morning, the swell pushes over 4.9 ft at 4.9 ft, which might be getting too big for beginners, and it stays in that range all week. The winds are glassy that Monday morning with the same SSW swell and an 18 second period, energy at 1518, making it excellent for those who can handle it. After that, the afternoons get a bit onshore and choppy, but the mornings generally hold good conditions. By 29 July Wednesday morning, you’ve got 5.2 ft SSW swell and glassy winds, energy at 1339 – that’s still pumping. The trend shows the swell easing slowly after that, and from 30 July Thursday morning the waves drop back under 4.9 ft with glassy conditions and a 14 second period, which is still decent, but the energy drops to 832.
There’s a gap after 5 August where the swell gets small and weak, with morning sessions on 1.6 ft to 2.0 ft and periods in the mid-teens, but no great energy – barely a ripple. That’s the tail end of the window, and honestly, it’s not worth the paddle.
Overall, the standout is the Friday 24 July and Saturday 25 July mornings – glassy, clean, and that long period SSW groundswell with strong energy. That’s the best on offer. Keep in mind the river mouth can pull crowds when it works, and it’s inconsistent by nature, so when you see it lining up like this, you’re in for a treat. Stay safe out there.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Thu night. Warm (max 31°C on Wed morning, min 25°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Sat morning, min 25°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SE 8 | SW 26 | SSW 10 | SSW 24 | SSW 24 | SSW 21 | SSW 21 | SSW 21 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
180 | 144 | 72 | 82 | 171 | 251 | 866 | 487 | 1122 | 943 | 546 | 1609 | 983 | 1199 | 1159 | 1448 | 1111 | 1367 | 1663 | 1644 | 1408 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-on | off | cross-on | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:05PM1.59m | 9:33AM1.84m | 10:02PM1.50m | 10:28AM1.78m | 11:02PM1.46m | 11:25AM1.76m | 00:03AM1.46m | 12:20PM1.78m | 00:59AM1.50m | 1:12PM1.82m | 1:49AM1.58m | 1:59PM1.88m | 2:34AM1.67m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:09PM0.50m | 3:07AM0.52m | 4:07PM0.55m | 4:01AM0.60m | 5:06PM0.57m | 4:59AM0.63m | 6:05PM0.55m | 5:57AM0.63m | 6:58PM0.50m | 6:52AM0.59m | 7:46PM0.44m | 7:42AM0.54m | 8:28PM0.37m | ||||||||
5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | |
— | 6:27 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:27 | — | — | 6:25 | — | — | 6:25 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | — | — | 14 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 3 | — | 2 | — | — | 5 | 2 | — | — | 6 |
Temp °C | 31 | 30 | 28 | 31 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 28 | 26 | 30 | 29 | 27 |
Feels °C | 32 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 32 | 33 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 29 | 33 | 31 | 32 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SE 8 | SW 13 | SSW 10 | S 9 | SSW 9 | SW 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 9 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 |
79 | 79 | 34 | 82 | 78 | 251 | 408 | 422 | 272 | 173 | 233 | 1609 | 983 | 1199 | 1159 | 1448 | 1111 | 1367 | 1663 | 1644 | 1408 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 26 | SE 7 | SSW 24 | SSW 24 | SSW 21 | SSW 21 | SSW 21 | SW 8 | SW 10 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SW 16 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SSE 6 |
180 | 144 | 72 | 71 | 171 | 52 | 866 | 487 | 1122 | 943 | 546 | 196 | 188 | 121 | 77 | 23 | 477 | 62 | 88 | 65 | 34 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 8 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | SSE 7 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SE 8 | SW 9 | SW 8 | S 10 | SSE 7 | W 10 | W 8 | S 9 | W 10 |
71 | 40 | 37 | 21 | 6 | 79 | 76 | 26 | 51 | 150 | 21 | 55 | 67 | 74 | 29 | 47 | 84 | 16 | 12 | 24 | 16 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 2 | — | — | SE 7 | — | ESE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 1 | — | — | 106 | — | 60 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 242 | 0 | 54 | 483 | 54 | 0 | 317 | 0 | 0 | 141 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 162 | 0 | 5 | 483 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in El-Salvador - Costa del Balsamo | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in El Salvador | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the La Bocana Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for La Bocana provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at La Bocana can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our La Bocana 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 (La Bocana) 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 La Bocana 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.
La Bocana is 6 km (4 miles) from the city of La Libertad. If you plan a holiday in El-Salvador - Costa del Balsamo, look for hotels and other accommodation in La Libertad. La Libertad has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










