Surf Forecasts:
Etretat surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 7s period, W swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, W swell with 1,404 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 7s period with W swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Etretat this week:
The surf forecast for Etretat over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 7s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Etretat in the next 16 days are 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Etretat over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks, starting today. I’ll be straight with you – it’s a pretty bleak run for the most part, so temper those expectations.
We’re looking at Etretat, a reef setup that’s consistent and takes a south-west swell direction best. The water is sitting at 69°F, which is a massive 6°F warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s very unusual, you’ll be in boardshorts without a wetsuit if you’re brave.
The first bit of hope comes on Saturday the 30th of August. The morning is the pick of the first few days – we’ve got a moderate offshore wind from the SSW, which will have the waves clean. The swell is 4ft from the west, with a period of 6 seconds. That short period means it’s a bit jumbled, but it’s surfable. The energy is moderate at 168, so there’s something to push you around. The afternoon goes very small, dropping to 2ft, so the morning window is really the only chance here.
Then it gets messy. Monday the 31st of August brings a bigger pulse – 7ft from the west, period 7 seconds. That’s getting solid, and with strong cross-offshore winds from the WSW, it’s going to be a slog. The combined energy hits 475, which is serious power, but with that size and cross-off wind, it’s more of a battle than a joy. This is expert territory, and honestly, it looks like it might be better for kite surfing than paddle surfing – the conditions are just too rough.
After that, we hit a proper dead zone. From the 1st of September right through to the 13th of September, it’s almost all small, weak, or flat. Wave heights are mostly below 2ft, with energy readings dropping to single digits or low double digits. The wind is a mixed bag, sometimes offshore but often cross-off or cross-shore, and the swell periods are short and unappealing. There’s a tiny blip on the 5th of September with 5ft from the west at 7 seconds, but it’s cross-off, and the energy is only 181 – still not worth getting excited about. The 11th of September has a long-period swell of 11 seconds from the WNW, but it’s a tiny 0.7ft, so it’s just a tease.
To be honest, there’s no standout session here. The only remotely decent window is the morning of the 30th of August, with that 4ft and offshore wind. It’s not epic, but it’s the best of a bad lot. The rest of the 16 days is a long, quiet stretch. Hold tight, mate – it’s one of those periods where you’re better off checking the forecast again in a few days.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Sat morning. Warm (max 22°C on Sat afternoon, min 17°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (near gales from the WSW on Sat night, light winds from the WSW by Mon night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu morning. Warm (max 21°C on Wed night, min 17°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Tue afternoon, fresh winds from the SW by Thu morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | |||||||||||||||
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 6 | WSW 5 | W 9 | W 6 | W 9 | W 6 | W 8 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 6 | W 7 | W 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
47 | 0 | 1017 | 109 | 39 | 255 | 523 | 253 | 59 | 40 | 56 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 139 | 262 | 0 | 155 | 0 | 0 | 139 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 12:34PM8.02m | 00:45AM8.18m | 1:04PM8.20m | 1:16AM8.30m | 1:36PM8.26m | 1:50AM8.28m | 2:11PM8.18m | 2:27AM8.10m | 2:49PM7.96m | 3:09AM7.77m | 3:34PM7.59m | 4:00AM7.31m | 4:29PM7.13m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:07PM1.36m | 7:25AM1.05m | 7:42PM1.22m | 8:01AM1.02m | 8:19PM1.23m | 8:38AM1.15m | 8:57PM1.41m | 9:17AM1.46m | 9:38PM1.72m | 10:00AM1.90m | 10:26PM2.15m | 10:51AM2.43m | 11:23PM2.61m | ||||||||
7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | |
— | 8:50 | — | — | 8:47 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:44 | — | — | 8:42 | — | — | 8:38 | — | — | 8:37 | — | |
mm | 3 | 3 | — | — | 1 | 6 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 22 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 |
Feels °C | 14 | 17 | 11 | 14 | 18 | 17 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 19 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 11 | 10 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | W 5 | — | — | — | WNW 6 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
47 | — | — | 109 | 28 | — | — | — | 54 | 40 | 56 | 15 | 5 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 9 | W 9 | — | — | — | W 9 | W 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 57 | 39 | — | — | — | 59 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 4 | WSW 5 | W 9 | — | — | W 6 | W 8 | WNW 6 | — | — | — | WNW 4 | W 4 | W 5 | W 6 | W 7 | W 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 |
7 | 86 | 1017 | — | — | 255 | 523 | 253 | — | — | — | 3 | 12 | 15 | 139 | 262 | 114 | 155 | 117 | 81 | 139 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 540 | 538 | 301 | 127 | 0 | 699 | 387 | 248 | 166 | 118 | 141 | 121 | 301 | 371 | 301 | 621 | 732 | 301 | 377 | 383 | 301 |
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.











