Cable Bay (Porth Trecastell) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on offer for Cable Bay over the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, it’s a grim start. For the first nine days, from Thursday the 3rd to Friday the 11th of September, it’s pretty much a write-off. The wind is howling from the west and southwest, mostly onshore or cross-onshore, and the sea state is lumpy, choppy, or just plain messy. The swell is there, but it’s all short-period, wind-affected junk, and the combined energy, while it climbs to around 183 (moderate wave energy) on Friday the 11th, it’s just not clean enough to make you want to paddle out. The water temperature is 63°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, but that’s about the only comfort.

We finally get a little window of something better on Saturday the 12th of September. Saturday morning is the standout by a long shot. The wind swings around to an easterly at just 6 mph, giving us a clean, cross-offshore breeze. The swell is 5 ft from the northwest, with a period of 6 seconds, and the combined energy is a solid 198 (moderate wave energy). The wave comment says it’s “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions,” but with that clean wind, it’s the best we’re going to get. It’s still not world-class, but it’s rideable and the wind will make it look a lot better than it has been. This is the one to aim for if you’re desperate for a paddle. Not a beginner wave at 5 ft, but fine for intermediates.

Sunday the 13th of September has a bigger push of swell, 7 ft to 8 ft from the SSW and a combined energy of 320 to 486 (strong wave energy), but the wind is light and cross-shore. The period is still short, and the report calls it “marginal.” It’s a bit of a gamble—bigger, but not necessarily better quality. That said, if you’re an expert and the wind stays light, it could be a fun, chunky day.

From Monday the 14th onwards, the swell drops away fast. Monday morning has a tiny 3 ft, and by Tuesday the 15th, we’re down to 1 ft and glassy conditions—pretty, but absolutely no push. After that, it’s flat or near-flat all the way to the end of the period on the 18th, with just onshore wind to finish.

So, the pick of the two weeks is undoubtedly Saturday morning, the 12th of September. Clean offshore wind and a decent chest-high swell from the northwest. It’s not pumping, but it’s the only time the wind and swell line up. Get in the water then.

Rusty.

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