Fistral-South Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s coming down the pipe for Fistral-South. I’ll be straight with you – this isn’t a classic summer run. The next week and a half is looking pretty grim, with a whole lot of onshore wind and lumpy, messy conditions. The good news is there’s a pulse of swell building for the second weekend, but it’s a long way off and the wind is still a worry. Let’s break it down.

We kick off on Saturday, 25th July, and it’s a write-off. A fresh cross-onshore breeze from the WNW at 19 mph is ruining any chance of a decent wave. The swell is a weak 3 ft from the west-northwest, with a short period of 5 seconds – that’s windswell, not groundswell, so it’s all chop and no shape. The combined energy is a measly 58, so there’s just nothing to work with. Sunday, 26th July, is even worse. The swell jumps to 7 ft, which is getting into the size that’s only for the experienced crew, but the wind is a solid 22 mph onshore from the northwest. That’s a washing machine. The energy is a moderate 469, but it’s all chaotic. Same story Monday, 27th July – the swell drops to 4 ft, but the wind is still onshore. It’s a rough start.

Then we get a little glimmer. Tuesday morning, 28th July, is the only real standout in this whole forecast. The wind swings around to the SSE at just 3 mph, and the forecast says glassy. That’s a major positive. The swell is 3 ft from the west-northwest, with a period of 9 seconds – that’s a proper groundswell, which means better shaped waves and longer gaps between sets. The energy is a weak 108, so it’s not powerful, but it’s clean. The water temperature is 64°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. This is your window for a fun, small-wave session on a longboard or a fish. The crowds are often here, so expect company.

After that fleeting moment of glory, we go back into the wilderness. Wednesday, 29th July, through to Friday, 7th August, is a long stretch of poor surf. The swell stays tiny, mostly under 3 ft, and the wind is either onshore, cross-onshore, or cross-shore. There’s a few days with light winds, but the swell is just too small to do anything with. The energy values are all in the double digits or low triple digits, barely registering. It’s a real dry spell.

Now, looking ahead to the second week, there’s a flicker of hope for Sunday, 9th August. The models are showing a solid 6 ft to 7 ft swell from the WNW, with a period of 7 seconds. That’s a moderate energy reading of 339 to 383, which is promising. But here’s the catch – the wind is forecast to be onshore from the northwest at 16 mph. That’s going to make it a bumpy, choppy mess. It’s a long-range call, so it’s promising but less certain. For now, it’s a wait-and-see situation.

So, the bottom line: Tuesday morning, 28th July, is your best bet. Any other day in this window is a gamble. The rest of the time, the conditions are so poor that this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. Stay patient, keep an eye on the forecasts, and don’t force it.

Rusty.

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