Caerhays Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Caerhays over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you: this is a grim stretch. The first surf recommendation doesn’t even show up until the 5th of August, so we’re lookin’ at a solid week of nothing from the start of the forecast. For a spot like Caerhays, that’s just how it goes sometimes—a flat spell like this isn’t unusual, but it still stings.

The water’s sitting at 68°F when we finally get a pulse, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year. That’s a real treat if you’re paddling out, but the surf itself? Barely a whisper.

The real story starts on the morning of Wednesday the 5th of August. We’ve got a little push of 2 ft swell from the SSW, with a period of just 7 seconds—that’s short-period windswell, all energy and no real shape. The combined energy is weak at 49. Still, the wind is cross-offshore from the NNE at 15 mph, so it’ll be clean. It’s the best we’ve got, but it’s small and inconsistent. This break is inconsistent anyway, so don’t expect a party.

By the afternoon of the 5th, the swell bumps up a touch to 2 ft, still from the SSW, period still 7 seconds, and the combined energy edges up to 61. Still weak. Wind is cross-off from the NE at 12 mph, so it stays clean. It’s the bright spot of the whole outlook, but I’m not gonna lie—it’s a humble wave.

Thursday morning the 6th of August sees the swell peak at 3 ft from the SW, period still 7 seconds, energy at 57. Wind is fresh from the NE at 19 mph, cross-off, so it’s clean but the breeze is gettin’ a bit gnarly. After that, it’s all downhill again. The swell drops off fast, and by the 7th we’re back to tiny, choppy leftovers.

There’s one more moment on Saturday the 8th of August afternoon: a 3 ft swell from the WSW, but the period is a shocking 3 seconds—that’s pure wind slap, no power. Combined energy is only 27, and it’s accompanied by a fresh cross-shore breeze at 22 mph. That’s kite-surfing conditions, not paddle surfing. Leave the boards on the beach for that one.

So, if you’re desperate for a paddle, the morning of the 5th of August is the only real nod. It’s small, it’s inconsistent, and the swell is short-period, but it’s clean. That’s the best on offer, and it’s not sayin’ much. The rest of the 16 days is flat, blown out, or just plain forgettable. Forecasts can change, but right now, Caerhays is takin’ a long nap.

Rusty, signing off.

Read more