10-day surf forecast with Strike Scores for José Ignacio, José Ignacio, Uruguay
José Ignacio is Uruguay's most fashionable beach town, a former fishing village turned jet-set destination. The surf is consistent and less crowded than nearby Punta del Este, while the restaurants and nightlife rival any in South America. The famous lighthouse adds charm.
Best day in the forecast: 2026-08-13 with a score of 63/100 (Fair)
Poor conditions overall: Average score 31/100. Look for spots with better forecasts.
Moderate alignment: Swell from 149° is 8° off optimal 157°, workable but not ideal.
Marginal size: 1.1m is 0.3m from ideal 1.4m.
Good period: 11s is 92% of ideal 12s. Clean, powerful groundswell.
Onshore/cross-shore: 13 km/h from 185° (S). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 315°-45°.
Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
Surfable but not special at José Ignacio. The 1.1m swell from 149° is workable, but conditions aren't ideal. Fine if you're local, but not worth a dedicated trip.
1.1m (3.6ft) swell from 149° (SSE) at 11s period
Moderate alignment: Swell from 140° is 17° off optimal 157°, workable but not ideal.
Marginal size: 1.0m is 0.4m from ideal 1.4m.
Moderate period: 8s meets minimum 8s but below ideal 12s. Some groundswell energy present.
Onshore/cross-shore: 12 km/h from 104° (ESE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 315°-45°.
Poor conditions at José Ignacio. Either swell direction (140°), size (1.0m), or wind (12 km/h from 104°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.0m (3.3ft) swell from 140° (SE) at 8s period
Poor alignment: Swell from 121° is 36° off optimal 157°, barely within workable range 117°-172°.
Too small: 0.7m is below minimum 0.9m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
Onshore/cross-shore: 11 km/h from 168° (SSE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 315°-45°.
Poor conditions at José Ignacio. Either swell direction (121°), size (0.7m), or wind (11 km/h from 168°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
0.7m (2.3ft) swell from 121° (ESE) at 8s period
Moderate alignment: Swell from 166° is 9° off optimal 157°, workable but not ideal.
Too big: 2.1m exceeds maximum 2.0m. Risk of closeouts.
Moderate period: 9s meets minimum 8s but below ideal 12s. Some groundswell energy present.
Onshore/cross-shore: 32 km/h from 234° (SW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 315°-45°.
Poor conditions at José Ignacio. Either swell direction (166°), size (2.1m), or wind (32 km/h from 234°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
2.1m (6.9ft) swell from 166° (SSE) at 9s period
Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)
Moderate alignment: Swell from 148° is 9° off optimal 157°, workable but not ideal.
Marginal size: 1.3m is 0.1m from ideal 1.4m.
Onshore/cross-shore: 25 km/h from 282° (WNW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 315°-45°.
-10 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
Poor conditions at José Ignacio. Either swell direction (148°), size (1.3m), or wind (25 km/h from 282°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.3m (4.3ft) swell from 148° (SSE) at 11s period
Poor alignment: Swell from 196° is 39° off optimal 157°, barely within workable range 117°-172°.
Marginal size: 1.2m is 0.3m from ideal 1.4m.
Perfect period: 12s is at or above ideal 12s. Long-period groundswell with maximum power.
Onshore/cross-shore: 31 km/h from 248° (WSW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 315°-45°.
-17 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
-5 points: Short-period windswell is present, creating choppy, disorganized conditions.
Poor conditions at José Ignacio. Either swell direction (196°), size (1.2m), or wind (31 km/h from 248°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.2m (3.9ft) swell from 196° (SSW) at 12s period
Moderate alignment: Swell from 185° is 28° off optimal 157°, workable but not ideal.
Marginal size: 1.4m is 0.1m from ideal 1.4m.
Onshore/cross-shore: 24 km/h from 200° (SSW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 315°-45°.
-21 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
Poor conditions at José Ignacio. Either swell direction (185°), size (1.4m), or wind (24 km/h from 200°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.4m (4.6ft) swell from 185° (S) at 11s period
Moderate alignment: Swell from 173° is 16° off optimal 157°, workable but not ideal.
Onshore/cross-shore: 16 km/h from 181° (S). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 315°-45°.
Poor conditions at José Ignacio. Either swell direction (173°), size (2.1m), or wind (16 km/h from 181°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
2.1m (6.9ft) swell from 173° (S) at 11s period
Very low confidence (8-10 day forecast, conditions may change)
Moderate alignment: Swell from 172° is 15° off optimal 157°, workable but not ideal.
Marginal size: 2.0m is 0.6m from ideal 1.4m.
Onshore/cross-shore: 16 km/h from 150° (SSE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 315°-45°.
-11 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
Poor conditions at José Ignacio. Either swell direction (172°), size (2.0m), or wind (16 km/h from 150°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
2.0m (6.6ft) swell from 172° (S) at 12s period
Moderate alignment: Swell from 170° is 13° off optimal 157°, workable but not ideal.
Perfect size: 1.7m is at the sweet spot (ideal: 1.4m).
Onshore/cross-shore: 13 km/h from 124° (SE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 315°-45°.
Surfable but not special at José Ignacio. The 1.7m swell from 170° is workable, but conditions aren't ideal. Fine if you're local, but not worth a dedicated trip.
1.7m (5.6ft) swell from 170° (S) at 12s period
Open-Meteo Weather API (wind/weather data)