Caerhays Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on offer for Caerhays over the next 16 days. I’ll be straight with you – it’s a pretty bleak run. The first recommendation doesn’t pop up until Wednesday, 15th July, so we’ve got a few days of flat or messy conditions to sit through before we see anything even vaguely surfable.

From Friday, 10th July through to Tuesday, 14th July, we’re looking at a mix of small, weak swell with cross-shore winds and a cross-chop. The combined wave energy is in the low double-digits or just cracking triple-digits, which is weak to moderate at best. Swell heights start tiny at 0.3 ft and build to around 8 ft on Monday afternoon, but the period is short (4 to 7 seconds) and the wind is never truly offshore. The surf quality is rightly described as poor. Even the bigger swell on Monday, 13th July, reaching 8 ft, is too big for beginners and blown out by cross-shore winds. It’s the sort of setup that would be more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

The first glimmer of hope arrives on Wednesday, 15th July, in the afternoon. The wind shifts to a cross-off from the ENE at a gentle 9 mph, cleaning things up, and the swell comes in at 2 ft from the ESE with a 7-second period. The combined energy is a weak 78, and the verdict is “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” It’s not a standout, but it’s the first thing that’s even rideable. The following morning, Thursday, 16th July, goes completely flat and glassy (0.3 ft, 14-second period, combined energy 4), so that’s a no-go.

Then on Friday, 17th July, the morning session offers a similar story: 2 ft swell from the ESE, 7-second period, and a light cross-off wind from the NNE at 6 mph. Again, combined energy is a weak 58, and the conditions are described as “surfable but very ordinary.” It’s clean, but tiny. After that, the entire second week, from Saturday, 18th July, right through to Saturday, 25th July, is a desert. Swell drops to 0.3 ft or 0.7 ft, periods are long (often 13 to 19 seconds) but the energy is negligible – combined energy figures are all single digits or low double digits. There are a few glassy moments, but with no swell to speak of, it’s a flat spell.

So, what’s the best on offer? Honestly, there’s no true standout. The only two windows that are even worth a look are the afternoons of Wednesday, 15th July, and Friday, 17th July, at Caerhays. For those, you’ll find a small, clean 2 ft wave from the ESE. It’s an inconsistent spot, and crowds are possible, but the wind is light and cross-off, giving you a clean surface. Don’t expect much power; the periods are short, so it’ll be a bit weak. The water temperature is about average for the time of year, nothing unusual to report.

Beyond that, we’re looking at a long gap of flatness. It’s a tough outlook for the area, but that’s how it goes sometimes.

Rusty

Read more