Ilbaritz - Edouard VII Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again. Let's talk about Ilbaritz - Edouard VII.

Look, we've got a long stretch of nothing much before a late flurry of size. The water is running at 76°F, which is a solid 8°F warmer than average for this time of year – that is super unusual and feels amazing.

For the first week, from Wednesday the 8th right through to Saturday the 18th of July, it's pretty much a bust. The swell heights are tiny, mostly under 3ft, and the combined wave energy is weak, rarely cracking triple digits. The wind is a mess, mostly onshore or cross-onshore out of the west and northwest, so the surface is choppy and blown out. A couple of moments offer a reprieve: Friday afternoon the 10th goes glassy with a small 3ft northwest swell and 128 energy – it's rideable but very ordinary. Saturday morning the 11th is clean with a light offshore easterly on a 2ft northwest swell (112 energy), so you can get wet but it's not going to blow your mind. Sunday morning the 12th is glassy again on a 2ft west-northwest swell, but the energy is a low 72. It's a long, quiet stretch.

Now, the second week brings some serious grunt, but the wind ruins it. Saturday the 18th of July jumps to a 4ft northwest swell in the morning and 5ft in the afternoon, with energy hitting 307. That's moderate power. But it's cross-onshore and messy. Then from Sunday the 19th through Tuesday the 21st of July, the swell really fires up – we're looking at 6ft to 8ft from the northwest, with combined energy hitting between 340 and a strong 872. That's big, powerful surf, and definitely only for experienced surfers (over 5ft). But the wind is strong and onshore, with rain and thunderstorms in the mix. This setup looks more suited for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer riding a reef.

The last chance comes on Wednesday morning the 22nd of July. We get a 4ft northwest swell with 240 energy and a light cross-shore wind from the north-northwest. It's the first clean-ish window with some size in over a week, and it's worth a look if you're desperate. Thursday the 23rd of July clears up with a cross-offshore breeze from the east-northeast, but the swell drops back to 2ft, making it clean but small.

So, no true standouts here. If you have to pick, Saturday morning the 11th of July offers the cleanest small waves, and Wednesday morning the 22nd of July is your best shot at some decent size without too much wind. Otherwise, it's a long wait for a messy and crowded swell. Stay patient.

Rusty.

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