Etretat Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks at Etretat. Honestly, it’s a pretty quiet start, but we’ve got a little something cooking for the back half of the run.

Right now, and for the first week or so, we’re staring down the barrel of a whole lot of flatness. The waves are tiny, and the energy is just not there. We’re talking about a solid stretch of days with nothing doing. It’s a bit of a bummer, but that’s how it goes sometimes.

The first real glimmer of hope comes on Sunday, the 23rd of August. The morning starts to show some life with a 5ft swell from the west, but it’s a short period of 6 seconds. The energy is picking up to moderate (196), and the wind is offshore from the WSW, which is a major positive. Expect clean conditions. By the afternoon, it gets a bit better. The swell bumps up to 6ft from the west, still short period at 6 seconds, and the energy is solid (225). The wind swings light from the SSW, offshore, so it’s going to be glassy. The water temp is about 69°, which is a solid 7° warmer than normal for this time of year – seriously unusual, so you’ll be comfortable with just a spring suit.

This is the standout of the whole forecast. The quality is ordinary, but it’s the most surfable we get. The break is a reef setup, consistent, and exposed to the west. The wind is offshore, making for clean waves. It’s not going to be huge or perfect, but it’s the best we’re going to see. The period is short, so it’ll be a bit lumpy and won't have that real groundswell push, but it’s a day to get wet.

Then on Thursday, the 27th of August, we get a different story. The swell jumps up to 7ft in the morning from the west, with a period of 7 seconds. The energy is strong (465). That’s a lot of water moving. The wind is cross-off from the WNW, so it’ll be clean. By the afternoon, it’s pushing 8ft from the west with an 8-second period and very strong energy (750). This is expert territory. The wind stays cross-off. This is a powerful, clean swell, but it’s big and the period is still short, so it’s going to be a washing machine. Only for the experienced crew at Etretat. This is a promising but less certain long-range call, so keep an eye on it.

The rest of the days are mostly flat or blown out. There’s a brief moment on the 20th where we see some size, but the wind is strong and the quality is poor.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a write-off. Your best bet is Sunday, the 23rd of August for the cleanest, most manageable waves. Keep an eye on Thursday, the 27th if you’re an expert looking for a real punch.

Rusty.

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