Cap Frehel Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s shaping up for our little corner of the coast.

To be straight with you, it’s a long, frustrating wait for anything worth paddling out for. The next week to ten days are a write-off. We’re talking day after day of tiny, messy, or just plain blown-out slop. From the 10th right through to the 19th of September, it’s a barren run. You’ll see the wind switching all over the shop, but the swell is tiny – mostly around 0.7 ft to 3 ft – and the energy is weak, with a combined energy of all swells directed here often sitting below 100. It’s just not happening.

Now, for those of you with patience, the 20th of September is where things get interesting, but with a massive caveat. A big pulse of swell is due to roll in on the Sunday afternoon. We’re talking about a 10 ft swell from the NW, but that is too much muscle for Cap Frehel. The waves would be huge and unruly, churning up against this reef setup. For the experts among you, it’s a monster, but the forecast is clear: it’s predicted to be too big for this break, so you’d need to know the place inside-out.

The real standout, the one you should circle on your calendar, is the morning of the 22nd of September. That Tuesday, conditions finally line up. The wind goes glassy – dead calm, offshore from the NNE at only 3 mph. The swell drops back to a much more manageable 5 ft from the NW, still with a solid period of 11 seconds (groundswell). That’s clean, that’s got push, and the combined energy is a solid 415 (moderate). This is the best on offer. It’s a proper window for some fun, lined-up waves at Cap Frehel. Get on it.

Another date to keep in the back of your mind is the morning of the 24th of September. Thursday brings another glassy morning with a 3 mph wind from the NNW, and a 2 ft swell with a very long period of 16 seconds. That’s proper groundswell, carrying a surprising amount of energy (263). At a reef break like Cap Frehel, that long-period magic will wrap in beautifully. It’s a smaller day, but the quality will be there if the tide plays ball.

Speaking of conditions, the water is currently sitting at 68°F, which is a notable 5°F warmer than usual for this time of year, so you can leave the thickest rubber at home.

So, short story: don’t bother until the 22nd. The 20th is for the brave (or stupid) on a big board, and the 24th is a sleeper for the patient surfer. Until then, save your wax.

Rusty.

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