Ilbaritz - Edouard VII Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get stuck into what’s coming up for Ilbaritz - Edouard VII.

Right off the bat, things are a bit slow. We’ve got a small window of surf coming in, but it’s really the middle of next week and beyond that has the real potential. The water is sitting at a very warm 75°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, so you won’t need the thickest wetsuit.

The first real chance to get wet is Monday the 31st of August, but it’s a tough call. The morning has some waist-high plus swell (6ft) from the NW, with a light offshore breeze, but the wave comment says it’s marginal. The combined energy is moderate (535). The afternoon sees a bit more size (6ft) but the wind swings cross-on, making it messy. I’d give it a miss.

Tuesday the 1st of September is a better bet for the early session. The morning is cleaner with a light offshore breeze from the E, and a solid 5ft of NW swell. The energy is still moderate (400), and the report says “expect good surf conditions”. That’s your first real look. The afternoon gets choppy again, so get it while it’s clean.

Wednesday the 2nd of September morning is tiny, only 3ft, but it’s dead glassy. The swell period is short (8 seconds), so it’s not packing much punch, but if you’re desperate for a glide, it’s surfable. Energy is weak (120).

Then we hit a flat spell. From Thursday the 3rd of September right through to Friday the 4th of September, the swell drops right off. There’s nothing worth paddling out for. The weekend of the 5th and 6th of September is where things get interesting again.

Saturday the 5th of September is the standout. The morning is glassy, with a good 4ft of NW swell, but the period is a very long 14 seconds. That’s proper groundswell, and it’s packing strong energy (676). This is a reef break, so that long period will wrap in nicely. The report says “expect very good surf conditions”. This is your best window. The afternoon gets a bit bigger (6ft) and a bit stronger (1120), but the wind turns cross-shore, so the morning is the one to aim for.

Sunday the 6th of September is also a cracker. Another glassy morning with 5ft of NW swell, period at 12 seconds, and energy at 723. Again, “expect very good surf conditions”. That’s two mornings in a row of proper, clean, punchy waves. The afternoons are still surfable but a bit chopped.

After that, the week of the 7th to the 13th of September is mostly poor. The swell drops back under 3ft, with onshore or cross-onshore winds most days. There are a few glassy mornings (like the 9th and 10th) but the swell is tiny and weak. Not worth the drive.

Then we get another pulse later in the forecast. Tuesday the 15th of September shows a solid 7ft of WNW swell, with a very long 14-second period, and the energy is very strong (1453). The morning is blown out by onshore wind, but the afternoon has a lighter cross-on breeze. At that size, 7ft, it’s getting into expert territory, especially with that long period. The break will be powerful and lined up, but it’s not for the faint-hearted. The guidance says it’s marginal, likely due to the wind, but if you’re a seasoned local, it’s worth a look.

Bottom line: Your best bets are the glassy mornings of Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th of September. That’s the sweet spot. The 15th of September has the size but needs a bit of luck with the wind. Crowds are likely here, so get in early.

Rusty out.

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