Belle Ile Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, folks. Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

Alright, I’ve got to be straight with you – this is a quiet stretch for Belle Ile. The forecast is pretty grim for the first ten days. We’re looking at a long, dry spell with hardly any surf worth paddling out for. The earliest we might see something that’s not a complete write-off is around the 19th of July, but even then, it’s rough.

The water is currently sitting at 69°F and that’s a massive 5°F warmer than usual, which is very unusual for this time of year. Makes for a warm dip, but the waves are a struggle.

For the first week, from the 9th right through to the 18th, it’s a desert. The swell is tiny, mostly under 3ft, and the wind is a constant problem. The dominant swell direction is from the WNW, but the energy is weak, often reading in the 20-30s in the combined energy score. The only morning that offered a glimmer was the 9th, with a clean 2ft WNW swell and a gentle offshore breeze, but the quality was so flat it’s not worth chasing. After that, it’s onshore winds and junk.

We skip forward to the 19th of July. The swell bumps up a touch to 3ft from the W, with a period of 8 seconds. The combined energy is now moderate at 134. The trouble is the wind. It’s a light cross-shore, but the wave comment is still poor. It’s mushy, and the afternoon sees it turn onshore. This isn’t the one.

The 20th of July (Monday morning) is the one that catches my eye, but it’s still a tough call. The swell is 4ft from the WNW, period is a short 6 seconds, but the energy is moderate at 181. The wind is a clean cross-offshore from the ENE. The waves will be a bit bumpy and short-period, but it's the cleanest window we’ve got. Belle Ile is a beginner-friendly spot, and this swell is well within that range. The crowd is "sometimes" a factor, so you might have some company. It’s the only standout, and it’s a weak one. Honestly, the setup looks more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer for most of this period.

After that, the 22nd sees a bigger swell (6ft from the W, 6 seconds) but it’s woefully onshore and choppy. Not for the faint-hearted. The 23rd and 24th are similar stories – swell is there, but the wind ruins it.

So, to sum it up: the best bet is the morning of the 20th of July. It’s not epic, but it’s the only clean window with a bit of size. The 19th of July is a maybe, but the quality is poor. The rest of the time? It’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

Read more