La Caffrine Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Howdy, Rusty here. Let’s be straight—this is a wild ride of a forecast, with a big, heavy groundswell hitting first, then a long lull, then another pulse of size. The one to really get excited about is Sunday the 30th of August, when the power drops to a size that’s good for experienced surfers, with clean, warm water. The rest of the first week is either way too big or flat, and then there’s a gap of tiny waves before a second big swell rolls in around the second week.

First up, a massive, long-period SSW groundswell arrives on Thursday morning the 27th of August. La Caffrine is a beginner-friendly spot, but this is way too big. Thursday morning you’re looking at 10-foot waves with a 17-second period out of the SSW, and the combined energy is a huge 5721. The wind is a light cross-shore, so conditions are okay, but the height is just too much for this break. This keeps building through Friday the 28th, hitting 13 feet in the morning and 15 feet in the afternoon. The afternoon does clean up with a cross-off breeze, but it’s still 15 feet and the energy is 11309. This is not paddle surfing; this is for the big-wave crew or kiteboarders if you’re into that.

Saturday the 29th sees the swell ease a bit, but it’s still 12 to 13 feet with 15-second periods, and the energy is over 7000 in the morning. The wind is a clean cross-off, so the waves will look good, but they’re big and heavy. Expert territory only.

Then we get to the best of the run. Sunday morning the 30th of August is the one. The swell drops to 8 feet, still a solid S groundswell with a 14-second period, and the energy is 3780—still strong, but much more manageable. The wind is almost glassy, a slight cross-off, and the water temperature is 77°F, which is 4°F warmer than normal, so it’s gonna feel like a warm bath. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. The long period means the sets will have real grunt, but it’s a beach break, so expect some big, clean walls. The morning is the pick. Sunday afternoon drops to 8 feet with a 13-second S swell, but the wind goes cross-shore and the score drops. It’s still okay, but the morning is the winner.

After that, the surf drops off a cliff. Monday the 31st has a messy 5-foot SSW swell with a 12-second period, and the energy is 755. The wind is cross-on, so it’s soft and lumpy. Tuesday the 1st of September is tiny—3 feet in the morning with a glassy wind, but it’s tiny. Then Wednesday the 2nd and Thursday the 3rd are basically flat, with 1 to 2-foot waves. The water is glassy and the wind is dead calm, but there’s just no energy. The combined energy drops to 201. That’s a few days of nothing.

Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th remain poor, with 2 to 5-foot swells and cross-on winds. The energy is under 1000. Not worth paddling out.

Then we get a second pulse. Monday the 7th of September brings a solid 5 to 6-foot SW groundswell with a 14-second period, and the energy is over 1000. The wind is a clean cross-off from the north, and the conditions are excellent for experienced surfers. This is a good, solid, clean day. But then it gets big again. Tuesday the 8th of September sees the swell jump to 10 feet with a 13-second period, and the energy is 3602. It’s cross-on and messy, and again, too big for this break. Wednesday the 9th is similar—12 feet with a 12-second period, cross-shore wind, and energy over 4000. Another big, heavy spell.

Thursday morning the 10th of September is a decent option for experienced surfers. The swell is 8 feet from the S with a 13-second period, and the energy is 3249. The wind is a clean cross-off, so it’s clean. The afternoon turns choppy though. After that, Friday the 11th drops to 6 feet, but the wind is cross-shore and the energy is 2116. It’s average.

So, bottom line: Sunday the 30th of August morning is the standout—solid, clean, powerful S swell, perfect for experienced surfers, in warm water. Monday the 7th of September is another good, clean day for the same crew. The rest of the period is either too big, too small, or blown out. Don’t bother with the first few days unless you’re a tow-in specialist. The long gap of tiny surf from Tuesday the 1st to Sunday the 6th of September is a real lull. Keep an eye on that second week pulse, but it’s a bit further out, so treat it as promising rather than locked in.

Stay safe out there.

Rusty.

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