La Nartelle Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you—this 16-day window is a tough one. We’re looking at a long, dry spell with hardly any decent surf on the cards. The first recommendation doesn’t show up until late in the period, and even then it’s barely a whisper.

For the first two weeks, it’s pretty much a flatline. From August 31st right through to September 12th, there’s nothing worth paddling out for. The few tiny pulses of swell we see are all under 2 ft, mostly coming from the northeast or east, with periods so short they’re not even worth mentioning. Winds are often light or cross-shore, but without any real swell, it doesn’t matter. The wave energy is virtually zero (values like 0, 1, 2, 3 in the combined energy). It’s a frustrating stretch.

The first real glimpse of something happens on September 12th afternoon. La Nartelle picks up a trace of east swell at 3 ft, with a period of just 4 seconds and a combined energy of 25 (weak). It’s onshore wind from the east at 9 mph, so it’ll be messy. Not a day to get excited about.

Then on September 13th, Sunday morning, we get a glassy start with a tiny 1.0 ft east swell, period 4 seconds, energy 3. It’s clean because of the glassy wind, but the swell is so small it’s barely surfable. The afternoon turns choppy again with a cross-onshore breeze.

The standout—if you can call it that—is September 12th afternoon, only because it’s the biggest we see all period. But honestly, with 3 ft, weak energy, and onshore wind, it’s more of a curiosity than a proper session. La Nartelle is a sheltered beginner spot, and it’s inconsistent, so don’t expect much. The water temperature is 79°F on August 31st, which is 7°F warmer than normal for this time of year—that’s very unusual, so at least you’ll be warm while you’re waiting for a wave.

The rest of the forecast through September 15th is more of the same: flat, glassy mornings and light cross-shore afternoons, with no swell to speak of. If you’re a kitesurfer, the afternoon breezes might offer something, but for paddle surfing, it’s a write-off.

Bottom line: if you’re desperate, September 12th afternoon or 13th morning might give you a couple of ankle-biters, but don’t get your hopes up. This is a blank run for the area, and it’s not unusual to see long gaps like this. Forecasts can change, so keep an eye out, but for now, I’d save the wax.

Rusty.

Read more