Etang-Sale Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let's talk about Etang-Salé. This reef break on the south-west coast is the only game in town for the next couple of weeks, and it’s looking like a proper run of solid, clean waves for those who know what they’re doing. This is not a beginner's spot. The water is sitting at a toasty 77°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you can leave the thick rubber at home.

The first real action kicks off Friday, July 31st. We’ve got a 6ft SW groundswell rolling in with a long 16-second period. The wave energy is strong. The morning is glassy, dead calm. This is going to be lined up, powerful, and clean for the experienced crew. The afternoon stays clean with a light cross-off wind, keeping the face smooth.

Saturday August 1st and Sunday August 2nd see the swell holding size but the wind turns onshore or cross-onshore. The conditions get lumpy and the scores drop. It's a write-off for a clean surf unless you’re desperate.

Now, here’s a curveball. Monday August 3rd, the direction swings to a punchy 8ft ESE at a short 9-second period. The energy is still strong and the morning is glassy again. That shorter period swell might not have the same shape as the groundswell, but with conditions like that, it’ll be fun and hollow on the bank, though it will be a big, powerful wave for experts only.

After that, the middle of the week drops off hard. Tuesday and Wednesday August 4th and 5th are tiny, weak, and mostly blown out. It’s a quiet patch.

The surf kicks back to life on Thursday August 6th. We have a 8ft ESE swell, again short at 10 seconds, but the morning wind is a light cross-off, leaving the waves clean. The energy is back up, and it’s another day for experts.

Friday August 7th starts with a 8ft ESE swell and light offshore winds from the SE. Clean faces, powerful peaks. This is a good window.

The real standout, though, the one I’d circle on the calendar, is the run from Sunday August 9th through Tuesday August 11th. Sunday morning sees a 6ft SW groundswell with a long 16-second period, but the wind is a fresh 19 mph offshore from the SE. That’s clean but it’s going to be a battle to get out. The wave energy is pumping. Monday August 10th is the pick of the bunch. The morning is a clean 7ft SSW groundswell, 14-second period, with a gentle offshore breeze. The wave energy is massive. This is powerful, lined-up reef surfing for experts, and it’s about as good as it gets here.

Tuesday August 11th morning is also a gem—6ft SW groundswell at 16 seconds, completely glassy, with huge energy. That’s a magic morning.

The second week holds some more promising swells, but the consistency in wind fades. Saturday August 15th, in particular, is worth a mention. A 8ft SSW swell at 16 seconds, with light cross-off winds, and monstrous energy. That’s a serious, expert-only day with some serious grunt.

So, to sum it up: for the experienced surfer, the absolute best windows are Monday August 10th and Tuesday August 11th mornings. The long-period SW groundswells, glassy or light offshore winds, and massive wave energy will make for a memorable session at Etang-Salé. Crowds are a possibility here, so get in early before the circus shows up.

Rusty.

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