
Surf Forecasts:
Etretat surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 14 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 10s period, WNW swell with 33 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Etretat this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Etretat in the next 16 days are 0.4m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 14) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Fri 14th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Etretat over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
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.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Thu afternoon, min 19°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat afternoon, min 16°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | W 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 4 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | NNE 5 | NNE 3 | W 7 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 5 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
2 | 8 | 9 | 16 | 16 | 33 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 5 | 11 | 10 | 23 | 19 | 29 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | on | on | on | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 11:23AM7.80m | 11:40PM8.08m | 12:11PM8.11m | 00:25AM8.33m | 12:53PM8.28m | 1:07AM8.42m | 1:33PM8.29m | 1:47AM8.34m | 2:12PM8.16m | 2:26AM8.10m | 2:50PM7.89m | 3:06AM7.73m | 3:29PM7.52m | 3:48AM7.28m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:59PM1.42m | 6:23AM0.89m | 6:44PM1.10m | 7:06AM0.67m | 7:26PM0.96m | 7:47AM0.67m | 8:06PM1.03m | 8:27AM0.88m | 8:45PM1.27m | 9:05AM1.26m | 9:23PM1.66m | 9:42AM1.76m | 10:02PM2.14m | ||||||||
6:43 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:21 | — | — | 9:19 | — | — | 9:16 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:14 | — | — | 9:12 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 27 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 28 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
Feels °C | 25 | 24 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 25 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 5 | W 10 | NNE 5 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 4 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 4 | W 8 | WNW 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | NNE 4 | W 7 | W 8 | — |
6 | 8 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 33 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 5 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | W 7 | WNW 10 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | — | NE 4 | — | WNW 9 | — | — | — | W 5 | — | — | — | — | W 7 | W 9 | — | — |
2 | 1 | 9 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | — | 16 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNE 3 | — | — | — | WNW 4 | W 5 | W 5 | — | WNW 5 | NW 5 | NE 3 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | NNE 5 | NNE 3 | — | — | WNW 3 | WNW 5 |
— | 4 | — | — | — | 4 | 19 | 13 | — | 13 | 17 | 3 | 23 | 19 | 29 | 8 | 4 | — | — | 3 | 60 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 301 | 147 | 147 | 118 | 160 | 301 | 313 | 313 | 339 | 313 | 375 | 339 | 149 | 390 | 534 | 371 | 493 | 447 | 363 | 371 | 408 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Normandy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in France | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Etretat Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Etretat provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Etretat can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Etretat surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Etretat) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Etretat may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Etretat is 14 km (9 miles) from Fecamp. If you plan a holiday in Normandy, look for hotels and other accommodation in Fecamp. Fecamp has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











