Llantwit Major Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s break down what’s happening for the Llantwit Major stretch over the next couple of weeks.

I’ll be honest – this is a lean run. The forecast shows a lot of poor surf conditions with only a few moments that are even surfable, and those are pretty ordinary. The water temp is 69°F, which is about 8°F warmer than normal for this time of year – that’s very unusual, so the water’s gonna feel like a warm bath.

The first real standout, and really the only one worth getting excited about, is Thursday morning on the 20th of August. Llantwit Major is a point break, fairly exposed to a SW swell, and the guidance says that’s the right direction. On Thursday morning, we’ve got a 4ft swell from the west, with a period of 7 seconds, and a NE wind blowing 25 mph – that’s a strong offshore, meaning clean, groomed faces. The combined swell energy is moderate at 128, so there’s some push. The wave comment says “poor surf conditions,” but that’s a little harsh given the offshore wind and clean conditions – it’ll be a bit tricky to paddle into with that strong breeze, but for the experienced crew, it’s the best on offer. The swell’s over 5ft, so it’s not for beginners, but your intermediate surfers will have fun. The afternoon eases to a gentle offshore with 9 mph winds, making it easier to get out the back, but the swell’s still the same size and the energy’s still moderate (124). It’s not perfect, but it’s the pick of the whole run.

There’s pretty much a blank stretch from the start all the way through. We’ve got a brief window on Thursday morning, the 13th of August, with a 2ft WSW swell, glassy conditions, and a period of 11 seconds – that’s a decent groundswell, low energy at 83, but the glassy wind makes it clean. The wave comment says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions,” so it’s small and weak, but if you’re desperate, it’s the only clean surf for days. The rest of the time, it’s mostly blown out, with strong cross-on or onshore winds, or the swell’s just too small to bother.

From the 20th onward, the swell drops right back. Friday morning the 21st has a 2ft WSW swell with a 10-second period, cross-off NE wind at 9 mph, and clean conditions – low energy at 89. It’s surfable, but very ordinary. Then there’s a long gap of dross until Monday the 24th of August, when we get another 2ft WSW swell with a cross-off breeze and clean conditions, but again, it’s just small and weak. The rest of the time is a write-off – cross-on winds, fresh breezes, and messy chop.

So, bottom line: the only true standout is Thursday the 20th of August, with the offshore winds and moderate energy. It’s not a classic, but it’s the best we’ve got. The rest is a waiting game. Forecasts can change, but right now, it’s lean.

Rusty.

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