Crantock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a hard look at the Crantock forecast. I’ll be straight: this one’s a tough stretch. We’ve got a classic summer flat spell setting in, and frankly, there’s not a single standout session in the entire 16-day window. The first hint of any surf worth paddling out for is on Thursday morning, July 9th, but it ain't pretty.

Overall Pattern & The First Days

We start the period with a tiny, weak pulse. On Thursday morning, July 9th, we’re looking at a 3 ft swell from the WNW at a 10-second period. The combined energy is a low 126, so it’s weak. The water temp is 62°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. But the wind is a light cross-shore from the NNE at 6 mph, and conditions are already described as poor. It’s choppy and messy. That afternoon gets worse with a cross-on wind.

Friday, July 10th, is more of the same. A 3 ft swell from the W with a 9-second period, energy at 136, but the wind is still a light cross-shore. Still poor. Friday afternoon is no better. This pattern of small, weak, and poor-looking surf continues right through the weekend.

Saturday morning, July 11th, the wind turns cross-offshore from the ENE at 12 mph, cleaning things up a bit. The swell drops to 2 ft with a 10-second period, but the energy is only 99. It’s tiny. Saturday afternoon has a 3 ft swell from the N with a short 6-second period and only 96 energy. It’s clean, but there’s no power.

Sunday, July 12th, is a write-off. Morning has a 3 ft north-northeast swell with a pitiful 6-second period and 64 energy. The afternoon drops to a 0.3 ft, 21-second period swell that's all but flat. The combined energy is just 23. That’s a true lull.

The Long, Hard Gap

From Sunday afternoon, July 12th, right through until the end of the forecast on July 24th, we are looking at a massive gap of zero usable surf. The swell heights hover between 0.3 ft and 3 ft, but the periods are consistently short (5 to 9 seconds) and the energy levels rarely crack 100. The winds are a mix of fresh cross-offshore and stronger cross-onshore breezes, keeping things either clean but tiny, or lumpy and blown out.

There’s a brief flicker on Friday afternoon, July 17th, where the swell hits 3 ft from the SW with a 7-second period and energy jumps to 107. But the wind is directly onshore from the NW at 12 mph. It’ll be gutless and bumpy. Not worth the drive.

Later, on Thursday afternoon, July 23rd, there’s a 3 ft swell from the N with a short 5-second period and energy of 85. Again, onshore wind from the NNW at 15 mph. Too messy for a decent wave.

Where It's At

Honestly, there isn't a best option here. If you’re desperate for a paddle, the cleanest windows are Saturday, July 11th (morning or afternoon), when the cross-offshore wind cleans up that tiny 2 to 3 ft swell. You’ll be on a longboard, bobbing around, but at least it won’t be choppy. Just keep your expectations on the floor.

Crantock is a river mouth, sheltered spot, and it can be fun on the right swell. But for this entire forecast, the available energy is just too weak, the swell periods too short, and the wind too often from the wrong angle. It’s a blank run, plain and simple. For a spot that’s fairly consistent, this is an unusually poor period. Some summer slumps just hit hard longer than we hope.

Stay patient. Forecasts can change.

Rusty.

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