Cape Schanck Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Cape Schanck.

Look, I’m not gonna lie to you – the next couple of weeks are a mixed bag, and it takes a while to get going. The first few days are a write-off. Sunday the 12th and Monday the 13th are a total no-go, with howling cross-shore winds and a messy, dangerous ocean. The combined energy on Monday is insane – over 5,600 (5617) – but it’s completely unsurfable. We’re looking at a solid gap of silence until the middle of the week.

The first real hope shows up on Wednesday the 15th, but it’s only just on the edge of worth it. The swell is still a bit of a beast at 8ft, period is 14 seconds, and it’s coming from the SW, which is what Cape Schanck likes. The wind is still cross-shore though, so it’s lumpy. The energy is high (2484), but it's a "marginal" call. You’d be out there for the challenge, not the perfection.

Things start to come together for the standout window. Thursday the 16th afternoon is where it’s at. The wind drops to pure glass – zero, calm. The swell is a solid 7ft from the SW, period 14 seconds. The combined energy is 1,873 – that’s moderate to strong, but with glassy conditions, this reef setup will be offering some proper, powerful lines. It’s an advanced wave at that size, but for the experienced crew, this is the real deal. The water’s sitting at 57°F, which is about normal for this time of year, so no shock there.

Friday the 17th is your other true standout. Morning has a light cross-off wind from the NNW, and the swell bumps up to 8ft with a 16-second period. The energy is 2,701 – that’s a lot of water moving. The direction is pure SW, right on the optimum for this place. The afternoon goes glassy again. This is big, powerful, clean groundswell. For a point or reef like this, that long period is a gift. It will be a bit of a paddle out between sets, but the waves will be worth the wait. Expect crowds here – it’s marked as "often" busy, and for good reason when it’s like this.

After that peak, it drops off. Saturday the 18th is still clean but smaller, around 4-5ft, and the energy drops to 560-816. It’s still fun, but not the standout. Then from Sunday the 19th right through to the end of July, it’s a long, frustrating stretch. The wind picks up again, mostly strong cross-off or cross-shore, and the swell gets inconsistent or messy. There are a few moments with some swell (like the 25th sees 7ft and 2,819 energy), but the wind is screaming at 25 mph, turning it into a mess. That’s more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddling one.

So, the only two windows to really lock in are Thursday afternoon the 16th and all of Friday the 17th. That’s your best chance for a memorable session. Get on it.

- Rusty

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