Zarautz Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, with the look ahead for our local stretch.

Honestly, for the next couple of weeks, we’re looking at a pretty flat and frustrating period. There’s not much to get excited about, and a lot of the time the conditions just aren’t coming together. Let’s break it down.

We start off with a bit of a whimper. On Monday the 10th, we’ve got a tiny 2ft NW groundswell rolling in with a 9-second period. The morning is glassy, which is a nice start, but the energy is weak (88) and the waves are going to be pretty ordinary. It’s really just a small-scale option for the beginners on a longboard. That afternoon the wind swings onshore and it’s game over.

Tuesday the 11th is more of the same—small 2ft NW swell with glassy conditions in the morning, but again, weak energy (67) and very ordinary surf. The pattern continues through Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday; the swell stays small, the winds are mostly cross or onshore, and the scores are rubbish. There’s a little pulse of energy on Saturday the 15th with a 4ft NW swell (229 energy), but the wind is a messy cross-onshore and the period is a short 8 seconds, so it’s going to be choppy and poor.

We then hit a real lull from Sunday the 16th right through to Saturday the 22nd of August. There are a few glassy mornings in there, but the swell is tiny—mostly under 3ft—and the wave energy is low. It’s a long, quiet run of days where you’d be better off doing something else.

Now, there is one standout that has me perking up. Sunday the 23rd of August is the only real highlight in the whole outlook. The morning at Zarautz is looking promising. We’ve got a 4ft NW swell, a 8-second period, and the combined energy is a moderate 206. But the real beauty is the wind: dead calm, glassy conditions. The swell is coming from the NNW which is close to the optimum direction for this spot. It’s not huge, but for a beach break that’s been starved of quality, this is the best chance we get. Keep in mind, it’s a consistent spot, but it can get crowded, so get out there early. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing unusual to report.

After that, the forecast drops off again. Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th are back to tiny, weak surf with poor wind. We end the period with a glassy 2ft on Tuesday the 25th, but it’s just a small, ordinary wave.

All in all, if you can, pencil in the morning of Sunday the 23rd. That’s your best bet. Otherwise, it’s a long stretch of small and messy conditions. Forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

Read more