Margate Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a hard look at what’s coming our way.

Right off the bat, I’ve got to be straight with you: this is a grim stretch for Margate Pier. We’re looking at a solid two-week block where the surf is almost non-existent. The first proper suggestion of a wave doesn’t even show up until Thursday the 23rd of July, and even then it’s a weak, short-period SSE swell of 3ft, with a cross-offshore wind from the NNE. The water’s sitting at a touch warmer than normal – 76°F – with a positive anomaly of 2°F, so it’s a bit toastier than average for this time of year. But the energy is barely there at 80 (moderate wave energy), and the quality is just ordinary.

From there, it’s a long, long grind. Through the rest of July and into the first week of August, we’re stuck with tiny, weak swells – mostly under 3ft – coming from the S or SSE. The periods are short, between 4 and 8 seconds, meaning these are windswells, not groundswells. They’ve got no push. The winds are mostly cross-on or onshore, creating choppy, messy conditions. The combined energy values are consistently low, often in the two-digit range (like 34, 39, 52), which is weak wave energy. There’s nothing to get excited about.

There is one small window that stands out, but it’s still far from epic. On Thursday the 30th of July, the morning shows a 2ft SSE swell with a period of 8 seconds and a clean cross-offshore breeze from the NNE. The energy jumps to 61 (moderate wave energy). The description says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” That’s the best we’ve got – a small, clean session for the loggers. The 6th of August also shows a half-decent morning with a 2ft S swell and a light cross-offshore from the W, but the period is a pathetic 4 seconds, so it’ll be weak and sloppy.

Do not look for any standouts in this forecast. The swell is too small, the wind is poor, and the consistency is low. For beginners, it’s safe but ultimately boring. For anyone else, it’s a waste of a paddle. Given the persistent onshore/cross-onshore winds and the small, weak swell, this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. The Pier is a beach/pier setup, so with these conditions, you’d be better off with a kite.

I’d say the run of poor surf will last from now until at least the 6th of August, with no real improvement in sight. The good news? The final morning of the 6th of August shows clean conditions, so maybe the tides will work in your favour. But don’t hold your breath.

Rusty, signing off.

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