Gorleston on Sea Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab a coffee, let’s get into it.

Look, I gotta be straight with you – the next sixteen days are pretty grim for the Norfolk coast. We're looking at a long, frustrating run of tiny surf with hardly any power behind it. There's a big gap at the start with nothing worth talking about, and honestly, even when the swell ticks up a little, the conditions just aren't playing ball.

The only break on the books is Gorleston on Sea. The water there is sitting at 64°F, which is a whopping five degrees Fahrenheit warmer than normal for this time of year – very unusual, feels more like a bath than the North Sea.

The first week through to Saturday the 11th is mostly a write-off. You’ve got tiny knee-high slop, with swell heights bouncing between 0.7ft and 1ft, and a weak north-north-east windswell. The combined energy readings are in the low single or double digits (3 to 17) – basically no energy at all. The winds are mostly offshore or cross-offshore which would be good if there was any wave to surf, but there isn’t. It’s just flat and clean.

The end of the first week and into the second sees a slight pulse. Friday the 10th afternoon pushes up to 4ft from the east-north-east, but with a short period of 5 seconds and a stiff 16 mph cross-onshore wind, it’s just a choppy mess. The energy climbs to 83, which is still weak. Saturday the 11th is the biggest of the run, with 5ft from the east-north-east, period still a weak 6 seconds, and energy hitting 131 (moderate). But it’s onshore wind both morning and afternoon – choppy, blown out, and really only any good if you’re an expert looking for a battle. For a beginner, that size is already pushing it, and with the onshore wind, it’s a no-go.

Then we hit Sunday the 12th morning. This is the best it gets. A drop to 4ft from the east-north-east, period still only 6 seconds, but the saving grace is glassy conditions with a 3 mph easterly breeze. The energy is back down to 79, so it’s weak, but for a couple of hours it might just be surfable for a longboarder. It’s described as “very ordinary” – and that’s being kind. It’s inconsistent and only for beginners at best. Crowds are possible here, so don’t expect it to be empty.

After that, Monday the 13th right through to the end of the forecast on Sunday the 19th, it’s back to tiny, weak surf. Swell heights hover around 1ft to 3ft, all short period, with a mix of cross-shore and onshore winds. The energy stays in the basement (14 to 37). Even Friday the 17th morning has a nice gentle offshore wind from the west, but it’s on a pathetic 3ft swell – clean, but barely a ripple.

So, the one and only standout, and I’m using the term loosely, is that Sunday morning, July 12th. It’s the only time the stars almost align – glassy water and a tiny bit of height. If you’re desperate for a paddle, that’s your window. Everything else is a flat, blown-out letdown. It’s going to be a long, boring fortnight.

Rusty.

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