Surf Forecasts:
Etretat surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 6s period, W swell with 239 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Etretat this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Etretat in the next 16 days are 1.7m 6s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Etretat over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Etretat. I’ve got to be straight with you – the next couple of weeks are going to be a real test of patience. We’re looking at a long, dry spell before anything remotely rideable shows up.
We kick off with a massive gap of nothing. From now, Wednesday the 19th of August, all the way through to Monday the 31st of August, the forecast is just a string of poor surf conditions. You’ll see some swell on the charts, but the wind is all over the place – mostly cross-off or onshore – and the wave quality is shot. There’s a brief moment on Thursday the 20th with a 5ft swell from the west, but with a 6-second period and strong winds, it’s just a messy, blown-out affair. Not worth getting wet for.
The water temp is a standout though. For Etretat, it’s sitting at 69° with a huge anomaly of 6° warmer than normal. That’s very unusual for this time of year, so if you do end up in the water, it’ll feel like a bath.
Finally, after a ten-day drought, we see a glimmer of hope. On Monday the 31st of August, a proper swell starts to build. The morning shows 7ft from the west, with a combined wave energy of 411 (moderate to strong). By the afternoon, it’s up to 7ft from the west at 8 seconds, energy climbing to 504. The wind is cross-off from the west at 18 mph, which should keep it reasonably clean. This is for the reef at Etretat. Now, 7ft on a reef with a bit of juice is a proper handful – definitely one for the experienced crew. Beginners, sit this one out; it’s going to be too big and powerful.
Tuesday the 1st of September is the best on offer. The morning sees 8ft from the west-northwest, with a period of 8 seconds and a combined energy of 589 (strong). The wind is cross-off from the west-southwest at 22 mph. It’s going to be chunky, raw, and powerful. This is expert-only territory. The swell direction is a solid west-northwest, which is a good angle for Etretat’s exposed reef. If you’ve got the stones and the skills, Tuesday morning is your window.
After that, Wednesday the 2nd of September drops back a touch to 4-4ft from the west, with a better 9-second period. The wind goes offshore from the south-southwest, but it’s strong – 25 mph in the morning. That’s strong offshore and clean, but it’ll be a battle to get out and hold your position. The energy is still solid at 225-264.
Overall, the only real standouts here are the 31st of August and the 1st of September. It’s a long wait, but that Monday-Tuesday window has some proper grunt. Keep your eye on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 32mm), heaviest during Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 15°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Thu morning, light winds from the ENE by Fri night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 20mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NE on Sun night, calm by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 6 | W 5 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 9 | W 9 | WNW 8 | W 8 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | NE 4 | NNE 4 | NE 5 | NE 4 | NNE 5 | NNE 6 | W 9 | NNE 5 | W 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 52 | 22 | 206 | 0 | 167 | 175 | 27 | 40 | 23 | 11 | 27 | 39 | 12 | 13 | 25 | 18 | 25 | 47 | 2 | 5 | 1 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:12PM7.09m | 4:35AM6.79m | 5:03PM6.65m | 5:35AM6.34m | 6:09PM6.30m | 6:51AM6.06m | 7:26PM6.14m | 8:11AM6.04m | 8:41PM6.24m | 9:21AM6.26m | 9:42PM6.53m | 10:15AM6.62m | 10:30PM6.90m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:20AM2.33m | 10:42PM2.65m | 11:01AM2.90m | 11:28PM3.15m | 11:52AM3.41m | 00:32AM3.54m | 1:07PM3.75m | 2:05AM3.66m | 2:46PM3.73m | 3:29AM3.40m | 3:57PM3.39m | 4:24AM2.96m | 4:45PM2.93m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  |  |  |  | | | |  | | |  | |  |  | | | |
 | 6:54 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:09 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:06 | — | — | 9:04 | — | — | 9:01 | — | — | 9:00 | — | 8:58 | — |
mm | 7 | 13 | — | 4 | 2 | — | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 15 | — | 2 | 2 |
Temp °C | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 16 | 18 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 6 | W 5 | — | — | — | WNW 7 | W 6 | W 9 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | N 5 | W 8 | — |
| kJ | 52 | 22 | — | — | — | 175 | 24 | 40 | 23 | 11 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 1 | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 9 | — | NE 5 | NNE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 9 | — | W 8 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 27 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 5 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | — | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | — | — | NNE 5 | NE 5 | NE 4 | NNE 4 | NE 5 | NE 4 | NNE 5 | NNE 6 | — | NNE 5 | — |
| kJ | — | — | 206 | 177 | 167 | — | 6 | 5 | — | — | 27 | 39 | 12 | 13 | 25 | 18 | 25 | 47 | — | 5 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 4 | 759 | 301 | 141 | 408 | 301 | 140 | 147 | 147 | 183 | 183 | 348 | 362 | 306 | 402 | 383 | 656 | 4 | 378 | 394 | 282 |
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.
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