El Emir
El Emir is Punta del Este's most popular surf beach, featuring a famous shipwreck that creates interesting wave patterns. The beach produces consistent peaks and is the center of Uruguay's resort surf scene. The high-rise buildings behind contrast with the natural beauty of the ocean.
El Emir surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
Today's ConditionsToday's Conditions
Find FlightsLocation & Conditions
Hourly Forecast, Tide & Strike Windows
Tide times today
Strike Score Breakdown
Plan Your Strike
Return flights to MVD, departing today with a 5-day trip window.
Search Flights on SkyscannerLocation & Conditions
Know when South America is about to fire
Get the best strike windows in South America — and worldwide — in your inbox every Monday & Thursday. Live Strike Scores, the swell behind them, zero fluff.
¿Prefieres español? Recibe el Strike Report en español, gratis →
Get the full El Emir trip window
Pro unlocks the 10-day forecast window, unlimited alerts, and custom spot tracking that help turn a good-looking surf report into a better travel decision.
10-day window
See the trip window before flights get expensive.
Unlimited alerts
Let the app watch your score threshold for you.
Custom spots
Track the breaks that actually matter to your travel plans.
Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- S (180°)
- Direction range
- 135° - 225°
- Size range
- 0.9m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 1.00×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NNW (335°)
- Offshore range
- 290° - 20°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
Water temp
18°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
7/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is El Emir?
El Emir is a beach break in Punta del Este, Uruguay, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at El Emir?
El Emir picks up swell from the SE round to the SW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the S. It starts working at around 0.9m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.6 to 2.1m. Period matters too: aim for 12s or longer, as anything under 8s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at El Emir?
A NNW wind is dead offshore at El Emir, and anything from the WNW round to the NNE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 5am to 10am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at El Emir?
El Emir isn't especially fussy about tide and generally works through the cycle, so swell and wind matter more here. Big tides can still change how it breaks, so it's worth checking before you paddle out.
When is the best time of year to surf El Emir?
El Emir works year-round. Year-round.
How cold is the water at El Emir?
The water at El Emir averages around 18°C, so you'll want a 3/2mm fullsuit. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is El Emir good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 4/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. It gets busy (crowd 7/10), so mind the pecking order. Popular beach.
How do I get to El Emir?
The nearest airport on our list is MVD, then it's roughly a 2-hour drive.
What other surf spots are near El Emir?
The closest breaks we track are La Barra (9.1 km), Montoya (10 km) and José Ignacio (31 km), handy when El Emir isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Jan-Dec
Year-round
Getting There
Nearby Spots
La Barra
🇺🇾 Uruguay's best • Punta del Este style • South Atlantic swells
Montoya
🏆 WSL venue • Rock ledge power • Uruguay's premier
José Ignacio
✨ Jet-set destination • Less crowded surf • Famous lighthouse
La Paloma
🌅 Authentic Uruguay • Cape options • Laid-back vibes
La Pedrera
🎨 Bohemian village • Sunset gatherings • Budget surf trip
Punta del Diablo
🎣 Fishing village charm • Near Brazil • Rustic authenticity