Antigues Cape Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, it’s Rusty here, and I’ve been staring at the charts for our little corner of the world. Let’s be straight with each other – we’ve got a long stretch ahead and not a lot of magic to get excited about. The wind is the main problem for most of the next two weeks, and the swell is mostly short-period stuff that won’t hold up well. We’ve got a few windows where things might line up, but you’ll need to be patient.

The first chance to paddle out comes Saturday, July 18th, at Antigues Cape. Saturday morning is a write-off – the wind is cross-off at 19 mph, and while the waves are a clean 6 ft from the east, the period is a weak 7 seconds, and the combined energy is only 365 (moderate). The water is a pleasant 83°, which is about average for this time of year. The real action, if you can call it that, is Saturday afternoon. The wind swings to a clean offshore from the ENE at 16 mph, and the swell improves slightly to 6 ft with an 8-second period and 358 combined energy. The forecast says “expect good surf conditions” – that’s the best we’re going to get for a while. It’s a reef break, so that offshore wind should tidy it up nicely. It’s a beginner-friendly spot, but it’s inconsistent, so don’t expect a conveyor belt of waves. Also, crowds are likely here, so be prepared to share.

Sunday, July 19th, is a step down. Sunday morning has a cross-off wind at 19 mph, making it messy, and the afternoon is marginal with offshore wind but the swell drops to 5 ft. The energy is still there at 336 (moderate), but the quality just isn’t there.

Then we hit a major lull. From Monday, July 20th, all the way through to Wednesday, July 29th, it’s a grim stretch of cross-off or gusty winds, weak swell, and poor surf conditions. The combined energy dips into the double digits (as low as 94 on Tuesday, July 21st) and the swell height bounces between 3 ft and 6 ft, but the period stays stuck between 7 and 8 seconds. It’s all short-period, wind-affected junk. There are a few afternoons with offshore wind, but the surf is “very ordinary” at best. Kite surfers might get a kick out of the wind, but for paddle surfers, this is a stretch to skip.

The next glimmer of hope comes late in the forecast period. On Wednesday, July 29th, the swell starts to build. Wednesday afternoon sees a 6 ft swell from the east with an 8-second period, combined energy of 513 (strong), and a fresh offshore wind at 19 mph. The forecast calls it “marginal,” but it’s the best looking afternoon in the second week. Then Thursday, July 30th, stands out as the real standout. The swell jumps to 7 ft from the ENE, still with an 8-second period, but the combined energy cranks up to 632 (strong). The wind is offshore from the ENE at 16 mph, and the conditions are “marginal” but with a clean, offshore face. That’s a lot of water moving around. At 7 ft, this is getting into expert-only territory – it’s too big for beginners. The short period means it’ll be a bit fat and sloppy, but the offshore wind should make it rideable. The reef setup at Antigues Cape might handle the size better than a beach break.

Friday, July 31st, still has some size with 6 ft and offshore wind in the morning (397 combined energy, strong), but the wind kicks up to 22 mph, which is a fresh breeze and will make it hard to control. After that, the swell fades quickly into the first couple of days of August, with the combined energy dropping to 158 on Saturday, August 1st, and then a pathetic 21 on Sunday, August 2nd with a 1 ft swell.

So, what’s the call? If you’re keen, Saturday afternoon, July 18th, is your best early bet for clean, surfable waves. But the real heavy water comes on Thursday, July 30th – that’s the one for the experienced crew who don’t mind a bit of power and a strong offshore wind. Just remember, it’s a long-range call, so keep an eye on the forecasts. For the rest of us, it’s a lot of waiting for better conditions.

Rusty.

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