Zurriola hondartza Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s talk about the next stretch at Zurriola hondartza. I’ve got to be straight with you—this isn’t shaping up to be a classic. The water is sitting at a very warm 77°, which is a solid 8° warmer than usual for this time of the year. That’s a big anomaly, feels like a bathtub out there.

The real problem is the swell. For the first week and a half, we’re looking at tiny, weak waves—mostly under 2ft and rarely breaking 3ft. The energy is extremely low, with figures like 22 (weak) and 27 (weak) for the first few days. The period is short, around 5 to 6 seconds, so it’s choppy and messy. Winds are mostly cross-on or onshore, with only a few glassy moments on Saturday 18th morning and Tuesday 21st morning. Even when it’s glassy, the waves are just too small to get excited about. The 16th to the 20th are a total write-off—poor surf conditions across the board.

We get a slight bump on the 20th (Monday afternoon) with a 3ft swell from NNW, period 7 seconds, and combined energy creeping up to 105 (moderate). But the wind is onshore from the NW, and the waves are still ordinary. Tuesday 21st morning is the first real glimpse of something surfable—glassy conditions, 3ft from NNW, period 6 seconds, energy 74 (weak to moderate). The report says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions,” and I’d agree. It’s not going to blow your mind, but it’s the best of a bad run.

Then we hit another dry spell from the 22nd through the 27th. Swell drops again, mostly 2ft to 3ft, with weak energy (34 to 71). Winds are mixed, but nothing clean enough to make the small stuff worthwhile. The 28th (Tuesday) morning has a glassy start with 2ft from NW, period 10 seconds, energy 92 (just below moderate). Again, “surfable but ordinary.” The 29th (Wednesday) morning is similar—glassy, 2ft, period 9 seconds, energy 92.

Now, the standout—and this is the only one worth circling—is the 31st of July. Friday morning brings a jump: 7ft swell from NW, period 12 seconds, and combined energy at 1169 (strong to very strong). That’s real groundswell with a long period. The wind is light from the N, cross-on, but light enough to keep it clean. The report says “marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions,” but for a beach break like Zurriola, a 7ft, 12-second NW swell is going to be a proper session. It’s a solid size, so it’s more for intermediate to experienced surfers—beginners will find it too big. Friday afternoon drops to 6ft, period 11 seconds, energy 930 (still strong), but winds shift onshore from the N, so the morning is the call.

The 30th is a tease—3ft but with a 14-second period and energy 477 (strong) in the afternoon. That’s a long-period groundswell, but the wind is a moderate cross-onshore from the WNW at 16 mph, making it choppy. Not worth paddling out for.

So here’s the bottom line: the first 15 days are mostly flat or poor. The only real standout is Friday 31st July morning. That’s the one to pin your hopes on. The rest of the window is a waiting game.

Rusty

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