Crantock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s coming our way for the next couple of weeks.

To be straight with you, the forecast is a bit of a heartbreaker for Crantock. Over the next 16 days, there are no good surf options to speak of. The water temp is sitting at 65°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least a dip won't be too shocking, but the waves just aren't cooperating.

Right now, we’ve got a gap with no real surf on offer. It’s not until Wednesday the 12th of August that we see anything remotely rideable. Before that, the swell is small, the period is short, and the wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore, leaving it lumpy and choppy. Even the glassy mornings on Friday the 7th and Saturday the 8th only have knee-high dribble.

So, the first real chance to get wet is Wednesday morning the 12th of August. We’ll have a clean offshore breeze from the ESE at 22 mph, with waves around 2 ft from the west at a 10-second period. TheAlright, Rusty here, and I’ve got a look at what’s coming our way for the next couple of weeks. I gotta be straight with you – it’s a rough stretch. We’re staring down a long, dry spell with hardly anything worth paddling out for.

The first hint of any real surf isn't until Wednesday the 12th of August, and even then, it's nothing to write home about. We’re looking at a solid week of flat or messy conditions before that. From Tuesday afternoon the 4th right through to Tuesday the 11th, it's mostly poor surf with onshore winds and small, weak swell. There’s a brief moment of glassy conditions on Friday morning the 7th and Saturday morning the 8th, but with waves only 0.3m, it's barely a ripple. That's a full week of waiting.

The first chance of something surfable comes Wednesday the 12th. Crantock, a sheltered river break, is the only spot on offer. It’s a beginner-friendly break that’s fairly consistent. On Wednesday morning the 12th, we get a clean offshore breeze from the ESE at 35 km/h, with a 0.7m swell from the west and a 10-second period. The water is a touch warmer than normal at 18°. The combined energy is weak (96), but the wind is clean, and that’s the best we’ve seen. The afternoon picks up a bit more energy (113) with 0.8m swell and moderate offshore winds, but it’s described as "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions." Crowds are likely here, as it gets busy often.

Thursday morning the 13th keeps it clean with a light cross-offshore breeze and a 0.9m swell from the WSW, but it’s still only a 1 out of 10 kind of day. The energy is moderate (118), but the waves are just average.

Now, there’s a couple of standouts further out, but we’re talking over a week away, so keep the salt in your hair. Friday morning the 14th of August looks promising. We get glassy conditions with a 1.2m swell from the west, a 9-second period, and a solid jump in energy to 215 (moderate). That’s the first real clean wave of the forecast, and for a river break, that west swell direction is right on the money.

But the real meat, if you’re an expert, shows up on Saturday the 15th of August. The morning brings a 1.9m west-northwest swell with a 9-second period and a strong wave energy reading of 567. The problem? It’s onshore wind from the NW at 10 km/h. That’s going to be a bumpy, lumpy mess at this beach setup. For a beginner-friendly spot, 1.9m is getting too big, and the onshore wind will kill any shape. Honestly, with that much swell and the cross-onshore wind that follows, this spot looks more interesting for a kite session than a paddle session.

The final burst comes Tuesday the 18th of August, with a powerful 2.2m west swell and a 10-second period. The combined energy is pumping at 976 (strong to very strong). But again, it’s ruined by a strong cross-onshore breeze at 40 km/h. That’s a mess. Over 2.5m would be for experts only, and this is close, but the wind makes it unsurfable.

So, to wrap it up: don’t bother for the next week. The best bet is the glassy morning of Friday the 14th of August for clean but small waves. If you’re an expert and don’t mind messy conditions, the Saturday the 15th morning has the most power, but it won’t be pretty. For the rest of us, it’s a long wait.

Rusty.

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