Beach

both

Level 3/10

La Barra

Punta del Este, Uruguay

🌀Strong rips

La Barra is Uruguay's most famous surf spot—a beach break near the glamorous resort town of Punta del Este. The wave breaks near the iconic undulating bridge and offers fun, approachable conditions for all levels. Winter swells from the South Atlantic provide the best conditions, while summer tends to be flat. The setting is unique: a sophisticated beach town with world-class restaurants and nightlife, but also a genuine surf community. Surfing meets South American glamour.

10-Day Forecast

Today

Poor

1.2mSSE

@9s

10km/h

Wed

Poor

1.0mSE

@9s

12km/h

Thu

Poor

1.1mESE

@9s

16km/h

Fri

Poor

1.1mESE

@8s

16km/h

Sat

Poor

0.9mSE

@9s

16km/h

Sun

Poor

0.8mE

@9s

16km/h

Mon

Poor

0.7mE

@8s

16km/h

Tue

Poor

0.7mE

@7s

19km/h

Wed

Poor

0.9mE

@5s

14km/h

Today

Tue, Jan 20

1.2m @ 9s SSE

10 km/h E

Wed

Wed, Jan 21

1.0m @ 9s SE

12 km/h ENE

Thu

Thu, Jan 22

1.1m @ 9s ESE

16 km/h NE

Fri

Fri, Jan 23

1.1m @ 8s ESE

16 km/h ENE

Sat

Sat, Jan 24

0.9m @ 9s SE

16 km/h NE

Sun

Sun, Jan 25

0.8m @ 9s E

16 km/h NE

Mon

Mon, Jan 26

0.7m @ 8s E

16 km/h ENE

Tue

Tue, Jan 27

0.7m @ 7s E

19 km/h ENE

Wed

Wed, Jan 28

0.9m @ 5s E

14 km/h ESE

Today's Conditions

Swell

1.2m

SSE(155°)

Score: 12/25

Period

Short period / windswell

Score: 16/25

Wind

10km/h

E(86°)

Score: 1/25

Weather

20°C

0.0mm45%

Windswell Component

0.1mESE@1s

Forecast Confidence

100%

Sources: open-meteo-marine, open-meteo-weather

Best Session

morning

Strike Score Breakdown

Poor

Swell Direction

15/25

How well swell angle matches the spot

Swell Size

12/25

Wave height in the ideal range

Swell Period

16/25

Each spot has different period requirements. Points and reefs can handle longer periods than beaches.

Wind

1/25

Offshore/glassy conditions

Total Score44/100

Location & Conditions

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Swell

Wind

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Showing forecast for today

Spot Details

Swell Requirements

Optimal direction: SSE (150°)
Direction range: 120° - 180°
Size range: 0.8m - 2.5m
Ideal period: 12s+

Wind Requirements

Optimal direction: W (270°)
Offshore range: 230° - 320°
Best window: morning

Tide Requirements

Optimal tide: mid
Optimal range: 0.3m - 1.5m

Water temp

16°C

Wetsuit

4/3mm fullsuit

Difficulty

3/10

Crowd level

5/10

Access: Easy beach access near the famous undulating bridge.

Getting There

Airport

PDP

Drive time

10 min

Best Season

Peak: Apr-Sep

Secondary: Mar, Oct

Autumn-winter is best. Summer very inconsistent.

Data Quality

verified

Verified by Local data