La Caffrine Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s talk about La Caffrine. This spot is pretty consistent, and the first week is looking like a proper string of solid, clean waves. The water is sitting at 25°, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year—nothing crazy, but you’ll notice it’s a bit more comfortable.

The action starts Friday morning, August 21st. The ocean is glassy with a light west wind, and we’ve got a 4ft SW groundswell, period 14 seconds. That’s a long period, so expect some nice, well-shaped lines but with a bit of waiting between sets. The combined swell energy is moderate (739). It’s clean, it’s fun, and it’s a good start. The afternoon gets a little cross-on, so not as good then.

Saturday morning, August 22nd, is when it starts to get serious. The wind is dead calm, glassy conditions, and the swell has bumped up to 6ft SW, still with that 14-second period. Energy is climbing (1188). This is excellent for experienced surfers—the size is there, but it’s not out of control. The afternoon holds the same quality with a slight air but still glassy.

Sunday the 23rd pushes it up another notch. Morning is glassy, swell is 8ft SW, period 14 seconds. That’s getting up there—over 5ft, so it’s no longer for beginners. Energy is strong (2590). The afternoon is almost identical, 8ft, still glassy with a light NNW wind. This is a standout period.

Monday the 24th is absolutely prime. Both morning and afternoon are glassy—calm wind in the afternoon, slight air in the morning. Swell holds at 8ft, now shifting a touch more SSW, period 14 seconds. Energy is very strong (2441 and 2311). This is the best of the window. The direction is right on the money for the optimum SSW, and the conditions are as clean as it gets. Crowds are possible here, so get there early.

Tuesday the 25th sees a drop in quality. Swell backs off to 6ft, winds go cross-on and cross, so it’s not as clean. Still surfable, but nothing special.

Wednesday the 26th morning is glassy again with a 4ft SW swell, period 12 seconds. Small but clean. The afternoon is interesting—a 3ft SSW swell but with a very long 17-second period, and cross-off winds. That’s a lot of energy for the size (1174), and the clean conditions will make for some long, drawn-out lines. Worth a paddle.

Thursday the 27th morning is a mixed bag. Swell is back up to 8ft SSW, period 16 seconds, but the wind is cross, so there’s a bit of chop. Energy is huge (3156). The afternoon sees the swell hit 10ft, and the wind is still cross. At this size, it’s getting too big for this break—only for the brave.

From Friday August 28th through to Sunday August 30th, the swell goes absolutely nuts. 16ft on Friday with 16-17 second periods, cross-off winds, but it’s just too big. Energy readings are massive (14045, 14559). This is more of a kite surfing show than a paddle surfing session. By Sunday afternoon, it drops back to 8ft, and the conditions clean up, so the very end of that run is doable for experts.

Monday August 31st sees the swell drop to 5ft, but the wind is cross and then moderate cross-off. Not great.

Tuesday September 1st is tiny—2ft, period 10 seconds, energy is weak (177). A glassy morning but just not enough wave.

The second week has a few flickers of life. Wednesday September 2nd afternoon shows a 5ft SW swell, period 14 seconds, clean with cross-off wind. Energy is moderate (1123). That’s a decent session. Thursday the 3rd is messy with onshore and cross-on winds. Friday the 4th morning has a 6ft swell but from the ESE, which is not ideal, and cross wind. The afternoon is small and clean. Saturday the 5th morning is a glassy 3ft SW swell with a very long 15-second period, energy (734)—clean but small. Saturday afternoon gets ruined by strong cross wind.

Overall, the standout is the stretch from Saturday August 22nd to Monday August 24th. That’s where everything lines up: solid 6ft to 8ft SSW groundswell, glassy or calm winds, and the energy is pumping. For experienced surfers, that’s the call. The Sunday August 30th afternoon session also looks good for experts as the swell drops.

There’s a gap of a few days in the second week with no real highlights, but it doesn’t stay dead for long.

Rusty.

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