Inchydoney Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, so we’re looking at the 16-day outlook for Inchydoney here, and I’ll be straight with you – it’s a rough one. This is a sheltered river break, and it’s inconsistent, which means it takes a lot to get it working right. The water temperature is sitting at 64°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so not freezing your toes off, but that’s about the only easy thing going for us.

The forecast opens with nothing happening. Tuesday afternoon has a tiny 0.7ft swell from the SSW with a very long period of 17 seconds, but it’s cross-on with a 15 mph wind and the combined energy is a weak 58. It’s poor.

Wednesday and Thursday are a write-off. We get a jump in size to 5ft from the SSW, but the period drops to 7 seconds, wind is cross-on at 15-18 mph, and the energy climbs to 307 and 356 – moderate, but the conditions are choppy and lumpy. The swell then drops back to 4ft, period at 6 seconds, same story. It’s all poor. No surf to be had.

Friday and Saturday are flat. Swell is 1ft or less, long period groundswell from the SSW, but the wind is messy or onshore, and the energy is weak. Saturday morning has a 1ft swell with a 14-second period, but the wind is light cross-on at 6 mph, so it’s small ripples, not surfable.

Sunday the 6th of September sees a jump back up to 5ft from the S and SSW, but the period is short again at 6 seconds, and it’s fresh onshore wind at 18 mph. Energy is moderate at 241 and 235. It’s messy.

Now, the first real glimmer of hope comes on Monday the 7th of September. The morning shows a 6ft swell from the WSW with a long 12-second period, and the combined energy is a very strong 830. The wind is light cross-on at 3 mph, with small wind ripples, so it’s clean. This is the standout. It’s the only time in the whole window where the stars align for decent size, proper period, and light wind. The issue is the break is inconsistent, and it’s rated for beginners, but at 6ft, it’s getting into territory where it’s more interesting for a confident surfer. The direction is SW, which is the optimum swell direction for this spot. This is the best on offer, but it’s a Monday morning, so hope you’ve got the day off. The afternoon goes to crap again with cross-on wind.

After that, the rest of the run is a disaster. Tuesday the 8th has a 3ft swell with 28 mph cross-on wind – strong, messy. Wednesday the 9th is clean with cross-off NW wind at 18 mph, but the swell is only 4ft with a short 5-second period and weak energy of 67. It’s clean but gutless.

Thursday the 10th brings a 8ft swell from the SSW with a 7-second period and energy of 703 – that’s strong, but it’s cross-on and steep, and at over 8ft, it’s only for experts. The period is short, so it’s a lumpy, crumbly mess. Not recommended.

The second week is a mixed bag of small clean days and big messy ones. Friday the 11th and Saturday the 12th are clean with cross-off winds, but the swell is tiny – 2ft and 1.0ft – with weak energy. Sunday the 13th sees a massive 10ft swell from the S and SSW, with energy hitting 945 and 1365 – very strong. The wind is cross-off and clean, but at 10ft, this is big, heavy, and only for experts. The period is 8-9 seconds, so it’s not a clean groundswell. This is a dangerous day.

Monday the 14th has a 7ft swell with cross-off wind, energy at 539 – still big, still for experts. Tuesday the 15th drops to 4-5ft, but it’s onshore wind and unknown conditions. The last day, Wednesday the 16th, is a tiny 3ft swell with light cross-on wind.

So, to sum it up: the only real standout is Monday morning, the 7th of September. That’s your window. It’s not perfect – the break is inconsistent – but it’s the best the 16 days have to offer. The rest of the time is either flat, howling, or too big and messy. For a spot that’s inconsistent, this kind of blank run is fairly normal, so don’t be too gutted. Forecasts can change, but right now, I’d be eyeing that Monday morning and crossing my fingers.

Rusty

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