Cap Frehel Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's be straight with you: the next two weeks look pretty grim for Cap Frehel. We've got a long, dry spell of poor surf ahead, so don't be expecting much.

Right now and for the next several days, we're staring down a whole lot of nothing. The setup is a mess. Through the end of August and into the first week of September, we're seeing small, weak swells with combined energy rarely cracking the triple digits. The wind is a problem too, mostly coming from the north or northwest, which here on the exposed W-facing reefs is usually onshore or cross-onshore, chopping everything up. The occasional clean morning won’t save the tiny 1.0ft to 3ft waves. This is a kite-foiling week, not a paddling one.

We do get a little spike in energy around Saturday the 5th of September. The swell jumps to 3ft from the northwest with a long period of 12 seconds, giving us a moderate energy reading of 187. But, right as it arrives, the wind is onshore and it’s too short-lived and mixed up with other bad days to call it any kind of stand-out.

There’s a massive gap of poor to zero surf until we finally see a glimmer of hope right at the end of the window. If you've got patience, keep your eyes on Monday the 14th of September. The afternoon shows some change: a 4ft swell from the west-northwest with a period of 9 seconds and energy climbing to 268. The wind goes light and cross-shore, but the forecast only scores it as 'marginal'. Don’t get too excited yet.

The only real standout is a small window on the morning of Tuesday the 15th of September. This is the one to circle. We get a clean 4ft swell from the west-northwest with an 11-second period and moderate energy of 300. More importantly, the wind goes glassy from the southwest. That's the cleanest we'll see this whole run. It's not big, but with those conditions, the waves will be well-shaped and clean over the reef. The crowds are always present at Cap Frehel, and on a morning like this, you won't be alone. The water is sitting at 68°F, which is much warmer than usual for this time of year, so you can get away with a spring suit.

The afternoon of that same day, the wind switches and ruins it, so your window is tight. For the weeks ahead, near-term is a no-go, and that Tuesday morning is a rare, promising hope for some clean if not epic waves.

Stay patient.

Rusty.

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