Surf Forecasts:
Zorba surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 14s period, SSE swell with 596 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 6AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s period with E swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Zorba this week:
The surf forecast for Zorba over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 6AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Zorba in the next 16 days are 1.2m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 9s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 12PM.
| Wave Type | Time (-03) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 6AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 6AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Zorba over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer at Zorba over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, I gotta be honest with you – the outlook is a bit of a rough one for the next week and a half. For the first ten days, the conditions are just not cooperating. The winds are stubbornly cross or cross-onshore, and the swell is often messy. The water temp is sitting at 53°, which is about a degree and a half warmer than usual for this time, so it’s not freezing, but it’s not a tropical lagoon either.
The first real glimmer of hope doesn’t show up until Sunday, August 16th. The early morning has a tiny 3-foot swell from the ESE, but the wind goes glassy, totally calm. The energy is weak (122), but for a couple of hours, it’ll be clean and surfable. Don’t expect much push, but if you’re desperate for a tiny, clean wave, you might get a few.
After that, it’s back to the same old story – wind picks up, swell gets lumpy, and the conditions turn poor. The winds are strong, often hitting 19 mph to 31 mph from the south or southwest, making it a battle for paddle surfing. Honestly, with that kind of wind and the swell direction, the setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing for a few days there.
Then, just when you might be about to give up, we get a proper standout. Sunday, August 23rd is the day to circle on the calendar. The morning session is the real deal. A solid 6-foot S swell rolls in with a nice long period of 11 seconds, packing a punch with strong wave energy (764). The wind swings light from the west, giving us a clean, cross-off breeze. That’s the best combo we’ve seen all outlook. The swell is a bit too big for beginners, but for the experienced crew, Zorba should be offering clean, well-shaped waves. The crowd factor is a “sometimes” thing here, so it could get a little busy once word gets out, but for the quality on offer, it’s worth sharing the lineup.
The run-up to the 23rd is a lot of waiting and watching the wind blow. The 26th of August morning has another glassy morning with a 3-foot SSE swell, but it’s weak (190), so not a showstopper. The 27th fades out with small, choppy leftovers.
So, bottom line: the first week and a half is a write-off. Hang tight. The real swell shows up on Sunday, August 23rd. That’s the only true standout, and it’s a good one. The forecasts can change, so don’t lose hope, but for now, mark your calendar for that Sunday.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 13°C on Fri afternoon, min 8°C on Wed morning). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun morning, min 8°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Sat morning, light winds from the WNW by Sun morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 11 | SSE 13 | SSE 14 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 8 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 12 | S 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
401 | 563 | 419 | 208 | 224 | 543 | 407 | 194 | 102 | 69 | 134 | 91 | 90 | 103 | 85 | 67 | 99 | 122 | 182 | 117 | 45 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:16PM0.14m | 7:17PM0.39m | 7:42AM0.27m | 12:31PM0.13m | 8:14PM0.36m | 8:31AM0.29m | 9:08PM0.33m | 9:19AM0.32m | 10:00PM0.30m | 10:07AM0.33m | 10:51PM0.27m | 3:15AM0.21m | 11:42PM0.25m | 4:10AM0.21m | 00:34AM0.22m | ||||||
Low Tide | 10:40AM0.13m | 2:31PM0.11m | 3:38AM0.06m | 3:38PM0.08m | 4:28AM0.08m | 4:38PM0.05m | 5:15AM0.09m | 5:34PM0.03m | 1:43AM0.21m | 6:00AM0.11m | 6:27PM0.03m | 6:44AM0.13m | 7:18PM0.03m | 7:27AM0.14m | 8:08PM0.04m | ||||||
7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | |
— | 6:06 | — | — | 6:06 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:09 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 9 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Feels °C | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 2 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 11 | SSE 13 | SSE 14 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 | E 8 | ESE 9 | E 9 | E 10 | E 12 | E 10 | E 9 | S 8 | SSW 6 |
401 | 563 | 419 | 208 | 224 | 543 | 407 | 194 | 102 | 63 | 42 | 26 | 90 | 103 | 85 | 67 | 99 | 33 | 16 | 35 | 45 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 8 | E 12 | S 10 | — | — | E 9 | S 9 |
2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 26 | 15 | 5 | 24 | 2 | — | — | 15 | 37 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 12 | S 8 | — | — | — | — | E 9 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 5 | — | — | — | — | 7 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | — | — | E 5 | E 6 | E 5 | E 6 | E 6 | — | — | SW 3 | S 4 | S 5 | S 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | — |
— | — | 40 | 42 | 36 | — | — | 48 | 50 | 69 | 134 | 91 | — | — | 2 | 14 | 55 | 122 | 182 | 117 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 397 | 525 | 525 | 525 | 119 | 9 | 119 | 119 | 6 | 525 | 525 | 53 | 0 | 1 | 32 | 525 | 525 | 165 | 158 | 119 | 422 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Uruguay - South | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Uruguay | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Zorba Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Zorba provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Zorba can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Zorba 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 (Zorba) 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 Zorba 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.
Are you planning a holiday in Uruguay - South? If you are looking for accommodation near Zorba, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Uruguay - South, consider staying in Maldonado which is 6 km (4 miles) away. Other places in and around Uruguay - South where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include San Carlos which is 17 km (11 miles) away, Minas, Rocha and La Paloma.











