Zarautz Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here with the outlook for our local stretch of coast. We’ve got a solid window of surf coming up, starting with a bit of a slow burn before some real energy shows up.

The opening act is on Thursday, the 10th of September. We’re looking at a clean, glassy morning with a 4ft NW swell rolling in, period about 10 seconds. The water is sitting at 74°, which is a full 5° warmer than usual for this time of year – you’ll feel that difference. The combined energy is moderate at 348. It’s a good start, not a world-beater, but a very pleasant way to kick things off. The afternoon gets a bit onshore and the tide might mess with it, so make the most of the early session.

Friday the 11th drops right off. The swell fades to 2ft in the morning, and while it’s glassy, the energy is weak at 90. By afternoon, it’s even smaller and unfriendly. Saturday the 12th is similar – small, weak, and not worth paddling out for. You’re looking at a couple of days to rest the arms.

Then it starts to wake up. Sunday the 13th morning is the first real standout. The wind goes dead calm, glassy as a mirror. The swell picks up to 4ft from the NW, but the period jumps to 13 seconds – that’s proper groundswell. The energy dials up to 540, moderate but with real push. Get on it early. The afternoon swell gets to 5ft, but onshore wind makes it a bit of a gamble.

Monday the 14th morning is still solid: 4ft NW at 11 seconds, glassy, combined energy of 448. It’s a good, clean wave. The trend continues Tuesday the 15th morning, but it’s much smaller at 3ft.

We hit a rough patch from Tuesday afternoon right through Wednesday the 16th. The wind swings onshore, the swell is messy, and the energy is all over the place. Wednesday afternoon sees 5ft from the NW, but it’s cross-onshore and choppy. Not worth it.

Things clean up again on Thursday the 17th morning. Glassy conditions, 4ft NW swell at 11 seconds, energy of 437. That’s a good, solid morning session. The afternoon gets ruined by onshore wind again.

Friday the 18th is small and marginal. Saturday the 19th morning looks promising: 4ft NW at 11 seconds, glassy, energy of 340. A nice weekend starter.

Then we get the big show. Sunday the 20th morning is a ripper. 8ft of NW swell, period is short at 7 seconds though, so it’s a bit fat and lumpy. But the energy is strong at 621, and it’s dead glassy. The afternoon, however, blows up to 10ft. That’s too big for this break. The energy hits 1243. This is expert territory, if it’s even rideable here.

Monday the 21st is a write-off for paddle surfing. The swell is 12ft+ with energy over 3900. That’s massive. The wind is light, but the waves are just too big. This setup looks more interesting for the kite crew than us.

After the swell peaks, it drops but stays solid. Tuesday the 22nd morning is excellent for experienced surfers. 8ft NW at 12 seconds, offshore wind, energy of 1578. Glassy, powerful, and clean. The afternoon is a bit messy.

Wednesday the 23rd morning is another true standout. Dead calm seas, 7ft of NW swell at 12 seconds, combined energy of 1017. That’s a strong, clean, powerful groundswell with no wind. For the experienced surfer, this is the pick of the week. The afternoon is smaller but still has some punch.

Thursday the 24th morning is a weird one. The swell is tiny at 3ft, but the period is a massive 18 seconds. That’s super long-period groundswell. Energy is 782. It’ll be clean and glassy, but the long period might make it break straight at the beach – better for a point or a reef. Worth a look.

The final stretch, Friday the 25th, is a bit of a letdown. The swell is 7ft at 14 seconds, but the wind is cross-onshore, making it look choppy and less appealing. Energy is 1513, but the conditions aren’t there.

The best bets? Sunday the 13th morning for the first proper glassy groundswell, and Wednesday the 23rd morning for the biggest, cleanest, most powerful session of the whole run. Get out there.

Rusty.

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