Cañaveral Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s coming up for Cañaveral over the next couple of weeks. It’s a mixed bag, but there’s a bit of light at the end of the tunnel if you’re patient.

First thing’s first, the water temp is sitting at 84°, which is bang on average for this time of year. No need to worry about a wetsuit.

The week starts off a bit flat and messy. Saturday the 5th kicks things off with a 5ft NE swell, but it’s coming in at a short period of 6 seconds and a cross-onshore breeze, so it’s going to be choppy and weak – the combined energy is only 223, so it’s not pulling much weight. Honestly, the surf is pretty poor. Sunday the 6th is a little better. The swell drops a touch to 4ft, but the wind goes glassy, making it clean. It’s still an ordinary wave, but at least it’s not a washing machine. Monday the 7th sees a bit more size at 5ft, but the cross-on wind returns, and the quality is marginal.

Now, we start to see a build mid-week. Tuesday the 8th brings a 7ft NE swell, and by Wednesday the 9th we’re pushing 8ft, which is getting into expert-only territory. The problem is the wind stays cross-onshore, and the period is still short at 8 seconds. The energy jumps up a notch – 560 and 754 respectively – but it’s going to be a lumpy, roped-up mess. Not ideal for a fun paddle.

The real standout, and the one that might get you out of bed, is Saturday the 12th. We’ve got a 7ft NE swell, and the period stretches to 9 seconds, which is a proper groundswell. The combined energy gets a solid 1365, so there’s some serious power behind it. The wind is still cross-onshore, but it’s a light breeze, so the surface won’t be too torn up. This is the best-looking day of the window, but keep in mind that Cañaveral is an exposed beach break, so a long-period swell like this can make it a bit straight and walled. Still, it’s the one to target.

Sunday the 13th keeps the size up at 8ft with that 9-second period, and the energy is still strong at 850. The wind goes light and cross-off in the afternoon, which should clean it up nicely. Expect good surf conditions there.

After that, the swell starts to taper off. The rest of the second week drops back into the 4ft to 6ft range, with mostly cross-onshore winds and short periods, so it’s back to marginal, ordinary surf. The last couple of days, the 19th and 20th, do look like they’ll clean up with glassy conditions, but the swell is small and weak.

The bottom line: don’t bother with the first week unless you’re desperate for a paddle. Keep your eyes on Saturday the 12th and Sunday the 13th for the best chance of a decent wave. It’s not a classic run, but the energy is there for a session.

Rusty.

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