Ibiza - Cala Nova Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get this straight from the start: the next sixteen days are pretty grim for a proper paddle at Ibiza - Cala Nova. We’ve got the wind, we’ve got spells of cleanish conditions, but as for rideable waves that actually make you want to wax up? Nothing stands out as truly decent.

The water is way warmer than usual for this time of year – a full 3° warmer than average when we start looking on the 25th – but that doesn’t help the lack of surf energy.

Right from Tuesday the 25th, the swell is tiny – just 2 ft from the south and southeast. The wind is cross-offshore at times, but with that short, weak period (5 seconds max) and combined energy barely hitting 31, it’s more of a day for a swim than a surf.

On Wednesday the 26th it drops even further – down to 1.0 ft with a shocking 3-second period and energy of just 5. Onshore wind from the SSE means it’s chopped out and messy.

Thursday the 27th sees a small uptick to 2 ft, but it’s still south-southwest swell with a period of only 4 seconds, and cross-onshore wind in the afternoon. Not worth suiting up for.

Friday the 28th is actually the cleanest of the bunch – morning brings light offshore NW wind at 6 mph, with swell 1 ft and period stretching to 6 seconds. The energy bump to 23 is still weak. It’s clean, but tiny.

From Saturday the 29th through to early September, it’s a dead zone. Swell barely registers – 0.7 ft to 2 ft – periods around 3 to 5 seconds, and energy scores under 20. Even the glassy conditions on the morning of Thursday, 3rd September, where the wind drops to glass-off at 3 mph, can’t save it because the swell is only 2 ft with a 4-second period.

The only real surge in the whole 16 days comes on Wednesday, 9th September. The morning shows swell jumping to 5 ft from the east-northeast, period up to 6 seconds, and combined energy hitting 164 – that’s the highest wave energy we get. But there’s a catch: the wind is cross-onshore from the ENE at 6 mph, which will make for bumpy, sectiony waves. This is still a beginner-to-intermediate size, but the poor quality label sticks.

Honestly, the whole period is a write-off for quality surfing at Cala Nova. The wind is mostly cross or onshore, the swell stays small, and when we finally get a pulse on the 9th, the wind spoils it. If you’re desperate, that Friday morning the 28th offers the cleanest conditions, but you’ll be paddling for knee-high dribbles. The 9th has a bit of push, but expect chop. Other than that, bring a kite if you must.

– Rusty

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