Ibiza - Cala Nova Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, folks, Rusty here, looking at the surf prospects for Cala Nova out in Ibiza. I'll level with you straight up: it’s a tough stretch. We’ve got a long, long gap of flat or barely-there conditions right through the start of the period. The first real, usable surf doesn't appear until the tail end of the second week, so don’t be in a rush.

From now, right through to Wednesday the 19th of August, it's basically a write-off. The swell windows show nothing but tiny, weak energy – mostly 1ft to next to nothing – with a lot of onshore or cross-onshore wind. It’s a blank run that lasts over a week, so if you're hanging for a wave, you’re better off doing something else. For this area, a stretch like this isn't unheard of, but it’s frustrating.

Now, things finally start to look up on Wednesday the 19th. We get a pulse of clean, 3ft swell from the ESE. The wind swings to a strong offshore (W), which will make that beach and reef setup clean. The combined energy is (48) – it's not massive, but it's a real presence in the water. This is the first true standout. The water temperature in Ibiza is sitting at a very unusual 84°, which is much warmer than normal. Get out early, because the afternoon sees the wind pick up even more.

The morning of Thursday the 20th sticks with that clean theme. Swell hangs around 3ft from the ESE, but the wind is a moderate cross-offshore from the NNW. The energy is still moderate (43). By the afternoon, it gets even better: the wind turns offshore from the NW, with 2ft swell from the SE and clean lines. This is your best chance for a tidy, uncrowded wave on offer.

Moving into Friday the 21st, the clean run continues in the morning. You’ve got 3ft swell from the SE, light airs, and a cross-offshore breeze. The wave energy is moderate (39). It’s a solid, long-period groundswell setup for the point, with longer gaps between sets making the paddle out easier. The afternoon gets messy as the wind swings onshore, so nail the morning session.

After that high point, the energy fades again. Saturday the 22nd sees the swell drop back to 1ft, and the wind goes onshore, so it’s a wrap. Sunday the 23rd is more of the same.

For the absolute best on offer in this entire forecast, point your board at Cala Nova (Ibiza) on the morning of Thursday the 20th, when the offshore wind and 2ft swell hit that clean window. But honestly, the morning of Friday the 21st with that 3ft pulse is equally as good.

Stay patient, mates. Rusty out.

Read more