Hourtin Plage Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line for us. We’re in for a pretty flat and frustrating start, I won’t lie. The first week or so is looking like a write-off, but there’s a ray of hope toward the end of the month. Hang in there.

Right now, through the 20th and well into the next week, the surf is just not happening. The ocean is basically flat with tiny swell energy – we’re seeing numbers like 23 (weak energy) and barely a ripple. The wind is a mess, mostly cross or cross-off, and it’s just not worth paddling out. You’ll be sitting there bobbing around on a 2 ft to 2 ft wave with no push. Save your energy.

We finally see a glimmer of life on the morning of Monday, July 27th at Hourtin Plage. The combined energy jumps to 237 (moderate energy) with a 4 ft swell from the WNW. The period is a solid 9 seconds, which gives it some shape. What makes this the standout of the whole outlook is the wind: it’s a gentle breeze from the north, blowing cross-off, keeping the surface clean. This is your best bet in the first week. The water is sitting at 77°F, which is a whopping 7°F warmer than usual – that’s very unusual, like a warm bath compared to what we’d expect. Crowds are sometimes an issue here, so you might have some company, but for this quality, it’s worth it.

The morning of Tuesday, July 28th is also worth a mention. The swell drops a bit to 3 ft from the WNW, but the wind goes glassy – a slight air from the ENE. That means the ocean will be like a mirror. The energy is moderate at 127. It’s not pumping, but you’ll get some clean, rideable little waves.

Now, for the real standout. You have to mark your calendar for Sunday, August 2nd, in the morning. This is the one. The swell builds to a solid 8 ft from the WNW with a period of 10 seconds, and the combined energy is a massive 1220 (very strong energy). This is serious groundswell. The wind is a slight air from the NNE, blowing cross-off, so it’s going to be clean. This is expert territory – that size is not for beginners. The waves will have plenty of power, and the long period means the sets will be well-spaced. It’s a long way out, so keep an eye on the charts, but if this holds, it’s the best session of the whole forecast.

The Saturday afternoon before that, August 1st, sees a decent 7 ft swell from the west with light wind, but the energy is still strong at 538. It’s a marginal call, but it’s a sign of things to come.

So, to sum it up: a tough, flat start, a few clean windows on the 27th and 28th, and then a potential cracker of a day on the 2nd of August if you’re a charger. Don’t bother with the rest of the afternoons – the wind swings onshore and ruins it.

Rusty.

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