Cabo Roche Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab a coffee, because for the next two weeks around Cabo Roche, it’s going to be a real patience test. Honestly, this stretch of coast is going to be flat or near-flat for the vast majority of the outlook. The good news is, for the complete beginner wanting some lessons or a gentle push, there are a couple of tiny windows that look okay, but for anyone looking for a proper wave, it’s about as exciting as watching paint dry.

Starting off from Tuesday the 11th through to the middle of next week, there’s just no energy at all. We’re talking tiny, weak, messy dribble days. The combined swell energy is barely scraping into double figures, often sitting around the 20-30 mark (25), which is just nothing. Winds are mostly clean, even glassy at times like on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, but there’s nothing to surf. It’s basically a flat spell, so don’t bother going near the water unless you want a swim.

Thursday the 13th offers a tiny glimmer. The swell is still small, only about 2ft from the west, but it’s the most rideable thing this week. The period is a short 9 seconds, so no real grunt, but the conditions are clean and glassy in the afternoon. It’s surfable, just barely, but very ordinary. You’d need a longboard and low expectations.

The rest of that week and the following week is just a write-off. Winds pick up from the south and southwest, making things choppy or cross-onshore, and the swell numbers just flatline again. Combined energy drops to single digits a few times (9, 6, 7, 5)... honestly, I’ve seen more action in a paddling pool.

There is a little stir at the very end of the outlook. On Saturday the 23rd, we get a proper groundswell showing up from the west, with a very long 20-second period and combined energy jumping all the way up to (115) on the morning. Problem is, it’s still only about 1ft of height. That long, clean, lined-up energy is going to be feeling deep and foamy, reformy, rather than breaking like a proper wave. That afternoon it drops a bit to (88). Then Monday the 25th has some very clean, glassy conditions with 1ft west swell at 12 seconds (55), which is still just a gentle ankle-slapper.

So what’s the standout? I’m going to point you to Saturday the 23rd of August morning. Even though the wave height is tiny, that long period groundswell (20 seconds) and the clean cross-off wind from the ESE with a combined energy of (115) is the most interesting event in the whole run. For a sensitive, well-shaped point break reef setup, that deep, long roller could produce a few clean lines for a very small, very skilled craft. But again, we’re talking a surf that is only for the most dedicated and patient on the right equipment. It’s not for the beginner; it’s a technical wave.

For the pure beginner, the only moment of the entire 16 days that looks somewhat user-friendly is Thursday, August 13th afternoon with a 2ft westerly swell and glassy conditions. It’s safe, clean, and tiny.

Otherwise, folks, it’s a long, drawn-out lull. Don’t drive out of your way for it.

Rusty.

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