Ilbaritz - Edouard VII Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ll be straight with you – this 16-day stretch for Ilbaritz - Edouard VII isn’t one for the memory books. The reef’s exposed to a W swell, and right now, the ocean’s just not cooperating. We’ve got a long, quiet gap ahead before anything even starts to look like a proper surf.

The first real chance you’ll get is surprisingly in the second week – hold onto your hat. For the next ten days, from Saturday the 1st of August through to the 8th, it’s mostly flat and messy. Swell heights are struggling between 1.0ft and 3ft, with short periods, and the wind is all over the shop – onshore, cross-on, blowing it out. The water temp is about average for this time of year. There’s a tiny glimmer on the morning of the 6th, with a 3ft WNW swell, 9-second period, and a clean cross-off breeze from the NE, but it’s still weak, with a combined energy of only 102 (moderate). It’s surfable, but “very ordinary” is the word.

Now, the standout. The 10th of August, Monday morning. That’s your best bet. We get a 4ft NW groundswell, 9-second period, with a clean ENE cross-off breeze at just 3 mph. The combined energy hits 220 (moderate), and the conditions are described as “good.” It’s exposed, so the NW swell will hit the reef nicely. This is a reef break, and with a longer period like that, it’ll shape up better than a beachie – expect some proper lines. The water’s still average for the season, and on a weekday morning, crowds might be manageable, though it does say “often” busy here. For an intermediate surfer, this is the one.

The morning of the 11th is also worth a paddle. Slightly smaller at 3ft, still NW, with an offshore ENE breeze and clean conditions, but the energy drops to 80 (weak). It’s “surfable,” but you’ll be hunting for the better sets.

After the 11th, it fades fast. The 13th onwards drops back to tiny waves and onshore wind. The 16th is a Sunday morning with a 2ft N swell, a 5-second period, and clean cross-off wind, but it’s too small and weak to get excited about. The whole second week is a letdown, honestly.

So, bottom line: if you’re keen, wait for the 10th of August. That Monday morning session is the one to pencil in. The rest of the 16 days is mostly a write-off, so don’t hold your breath.

Rusty.

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