Delray Public Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get real about the next couple of weeks. I’ve been staring at the charts and, honestly, it’s a bit of a flat spell for our stretch. There’s no getting around it – the ocean is looking pretty quiet.

The whole 16-day window is a struggle. We’re looking at a long stretch with nothing rideable. From now through the middle part of the month, the swell energy is just not there. The wave heights are tiny, mostly under 3 feet, and the periods are short, so even if there’s a bump, it’s not going to have any push. The wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore, chopping up what little is there. It’s the kind of forecast that makes you want to check your gear and do a few push-ups.

There is a brief window around August 8th, Saturday, where the energy climbs a bit to a moderate level (112–128), but the swell is coming from the NE and ENE with a period around 9 seconds. That’s still not enough to make Delray Public Beach do anything fun. It’s a beach break, and with that short-period, east-northeast swell, it’s just going to be mushy and closed out. The wind is on it, so it’ll be bumpy. Not worth the paddle.

Then we go right back into the doldrums. The following week, from the 11th through the 18th, is a total write-off. Wave heights are down to 1 foot or less, with weak energy readings – mostly in the 10 to 30 range. The period stays short. It's a desert out there.

But here’s a glimmer, and it’s a long way off. On the morning of Wednesday, August 19th, we finally get a clean window. The wind swings around to a light offshore from the WNW at 3 mph. The air is clear, and the report says “clean.” The swell is still only 1 foot with a 9-second period from the ESE, and the energy is a weak 37. So, it’s not going to be big, but it will be the only time in the whole forecast where the conditions are actually lined up. For a longboard, maybe, you could find a little ankle-to-knee high ripple. It’s a promise of something, but it’s over a week away, so don’t book the day off work. It’s just a hint that things might be trying to turn around.

That’s the whole picture. A lot of waiting, a lot of flat water. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so at least it won’t be a shock when you get in for a swim instead of a surf.

Keep the faith. It won't be flat forever.

Rusty

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