Etretat Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Hey, it’s Rusty. Let’s break down the Etretat surf for the next couple of weeks. It’s a slow burn, I won’t sugarcoat it.

The first few days are a total bust. From Sunday the 23rd right through to Friday the 28th, it’s a flat spell. The water's feeling much warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 69°F, but that's the only highlight. The wind is all wrong, and the swell is just non-existent. You’re looking at a solid six-day gap with nothing worth paddling out for.

The action finally kicks in on Saturday, August 29th. A solid 7ft swell from the west rolls in, with a period of 7 seconds. The combined energy is pumping at 364 (moderate) in the morning, ramping up to 388 by the afternoon. The wind is cross-offshore from the WSW, so the faces are clean. This is a bit meaty for the beginners, but for the experienced crew, this is the day to circle. This is the best we’ve got.

Sunday the 30th offers a follow-up with 5ft of swell and energy dropping to 161 (moderate). The wind stays cross-off, so it’s still clean and rideable, just a notch down on the size.

Then it gets a bit messy again. Monday the 31st shows a bigger swell moving in – 6ft to 8ft – with a lot of energy (hitting 502 in the afternoon). But the wind picks up as well, making it choppy and marginal. That’s expert-only territory, and the conditions aren't locking in. The rest of the first week of September fades into tiny, weak swell with fresh winds. It’s not promising.

So, to be honest: the standout day is Saturday, August 29th. Head to Etretat for that 7ft west swell. The period is a bit short (7 seconds), so the waves won't have that long, drawn-out feel, but it’s clean and it’s the biggest, most consistent offering we’ve seen. The rest of the forecast is a gamble, with the long-range stuff around the 6th and 7th of September being too far off to call.

When the wind howls and the swell gets lumpy, just remember it’s a better day for the kite than the surfboard.

Rusty.

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