Lynmouth Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get this straight. The next couple of weeks are looking pretty bleak for waves around Lynmouth. We’ve got a long stretch of small, weak surf and winds that just won’t play ball. I’m not gonna sugarcoat it; it’s gonna be a grind for a while.

The first real sign of life doesn’t show up until Saturday the 19th. That morning, the swell bumps up to a clean 7ft, which is actually the biggest we’ll see in the whole forecast period. The wind is offshore and the wave energy is strong, reading 502. It’s still just an 8-second period, so it won’t have much push, and with that size, it’s definitely one for the advanced crew only. The afternoon looks like it gets a bit messy, so that morning session is your window.

But honestly, for a true stand-out, we’re looking at Sunday the 20th. The swell is still solid at 6ft from the W, and while the wind is more cross-shore, the energy is still strong at 509. It’s another one for experienced surfers, but if you can find a bank holding the west swell, it could be the most fun you’ll have in this whole window. It’s still just an 8-second swell, so it won't be perfect, but it's the best of the bunch.

Before that, we’re looking at days of knee-to-waist-high mush with onshore or cross-shore winds and weak energy readings, often dipping below 100, sometimes only in the 20s and 30s. There is a brief moment on the morning of the 15th when it goes glassy, but the swell is tiny and weak at 3ft with a short 7-second period, so it’s not going to be worth the paddle. From the 10th through the 18th, it’s pretty much a write-off. You’d be better off checking the tide pools.

I’ve got to mention the water temp, too. On the 9th, it’s reading 66°, which is a solid 5° warmer than usual for this time of year. That’s very unusual, so you might want to drop a layer of rubber.

The swell direction is mostly from the W, which is right in the wheelhouse for Lynmouth’s optimum WNW. That’s a bit of a tease, because there’s just not enough size or period behind it to make it work. It’s sheltered here, so it takes a lot more to get it moving. With the small, weak swell, and the beaches around here, once it gets over 5ft and stays messy, it starts looking more like a kitesurfing spot than a surf spot.

So, mark your calendar for the 19th and 20th. It’s not perfect, but it’s the only real swell on the board. The rest of the time, keep your board in the car and your expectations low. Forecasts can change, but as it stands, we’re in for a flat spell.

Rusty.

Read more