
Surf Forecasts:
Etretat surf forecast from 3 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 6 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 7s period, WNW swell with 206 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Etretat this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Etretat in the next 16 days are 1.6m 7s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 06) 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 1.3m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Thu 6th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Etretat over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – the next 16 days are a real struggle for Etretat. There’s a big dry patch to start, and we’re looking at a long wait before anything even sniffs rideable.
We kick off on Monday 3rd August, but honestly, don’t bother. Swell is a tiny 0.7 ft from the west, and that wind is howling onshore from the NNE at 12 mph. The combined energy is a pitiful 11 – flat as a pancake. That water temperature is sitting at 68°, which is a massive 6° warmer than normal for this time of year, making it feel unusual. But it doesn’t matter because there’s no surf.
The whole first week is a write-off. Tuesday 4th and Wednesday 5th are dead with zero swell energy. Thursday 6th, nothing. Even when we get a tiny pulse on Friday 7th morning of 2 ft, the period is only 5 seconds – that’s junk, short-period windslop. Combined energy is just 23. It’s not worth getting wet.
We finally get a sniff of something on Thursday 13th August. The afternoon shows a 4 ft swell from the NNE, with a period of 5 seconds. The combined energy climbs to 87, which is still weak, but it’s the first time we see surfable waves. The wind is cross-offshore from the WNW at 9 mph, so it’s clean. Still, those waves are short-period, and it’s only just surfable. This is the best it gets, but it’s nothing to write home about. The reef at Etretat is consistent, and it’s exposed to the SW swell, but this NNE direction is not ideal for the spot. It’s a beginner-friendly spot, but this swell is underwhelming.
Friday 14th August is similar. The afternoon sees 4 ft from the NNE, period 5 seconds, and the energy is 89. Wind is light from the WNW, keeping it clean. Again, just barely surfable. It’s not a standout, it’s just the only real option after a long, flat gap.
The rest of the period into the second week fades back to tiny, weak swell. We get a few days of 2 ft or less, and the energy drops back into the teens and twenties. Not worth a paddle.
So, the honest truth? There’s no real standout here. The only period that even offers a wave is Thursday 13th through Friday 14th August, and even then it’s marginal. The water is freakishly warm, but the swell is flat and short-period. For a spot that’s usually consistent, this is a barren run. If you’re a kiter, the wind on days like Wednesday 5th with 22 mph cross-off might interest you, but for a surfer? Save your energy.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Warm (max 27°C on Mon afternoon, min 17°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Tue afternoon, fresh winds from the WSW by Wed morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sun morning, min 17°C on Thu afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | WNW 6 | W 5 | WNW 5 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | NW 4 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 37 | 0 | 0 | 206 | 0 | 0 | 55 | 21 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 2:40PM7.77m | 2:54AM7.77m | 3:19PM7.64m | 3:37AM7.56m | 4:05PM7.42m | 4:28AM7.26m | 5:01PM7.14m | 5:32AM6.94m | 6:09PM6.90m | 6:49AM6.73m | 7:27PM6.83m | 8:11AM6.77m | 8:43PM6.99m | |||||||
Low Tide | 9:22PM1.74m | 9:42AM1.61m | 10:03PM1.96m | 10:25AM1.92m | 10:49PM2.26m | 11:14AM2.31m | 11:45PM2.58m | 12:15PM2.69m | 00:56AM2.81m | 1:34PM2.92m | 2:21AM2.78m | 3:00PM2.80m | 3:40AM2.40m | |||||||
— | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | |
— | 9:37 | — | — | 9:36 | — | — | 9:35 | — | — | 9:32 | — | — | 9:31 | — | — | 9:30 | — | — | 9:28 | |
mm | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 24 | 20 | 23 | 22 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 26 | 27 |
Feels °C | 24 | 23 | 18 | 22 | 21 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | NE 4 | W 8 | W 8 | N 6 | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 6 | W 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 4 | W 5 | W 5 | — | W 9 | W 8 | NW 4 |
6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 55 | 21 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 5 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 8 | NE 4 | NE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 9 | W 9 | W 6 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | — | — | W 4 |
— | 6 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 4 | — | W 3 | WNW 3 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | — | — | NNW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
5 | — | 3 | 2 | 37 | 92 | 110 | 206 | 80 | 72 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 347 | 377 | 301 | 358 | 301 | 386 | 387 | 301 | 375 | 509 | 126 | 346 | 346 | 382 | 382 | 378 | 373 | 362 | 347 | 147 |
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.











