Margate Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Gotta be straight with you – the next sixteen days for Margate Pier are looking pretty grim. I’ve scanned the whole forecast and there’s nothing that qualifies as a proper surf session. The swell is tiny, the wind is messy, and the only time we get any real energy, the conditions just aren’t lining up. Let’s break it down.

Starting from Sunday the 19th of July, we’ve got a tiny 2ft swell from the south, period a short 7 seconds, and northwest wind blowing offshore – but it’s still poor surf. The water’s sitting at 77°F, which is a good 4° warmer than usual for this time of year – feels like a bath. The combined energy? Only 51 – weak. Monday the 20th is even worse: 1.0ft, cross-shore wind, energy down to 23. Tuesday the 21st brings a bit more height (3ft) but the wind is cross-onshore and the period drops to 5 seconds – choppy and lumpy. Energy stays around 51.

Wednesday the 22nd is the only day that even hints at something. Morning: 5ft from the south, period 8 seconds, with a cross-offshore wind from the west-southwest at 15 mph. The wave comment says “poor” but the energy jumps to 313 – that’s moderate. It’s clean, but the swell is still short-period and the direction isn’t ideal for the pier. Afternoon drops to 4ft with a 9-second period, still clean but energy down to 238. The data calls it “marginal” – that’s the best we get. If you’re desperate, that Wednesday morning might give you a few knee-high lines, but it’s not going to be memorable.

After that, it’s a long downhill slide. Thursday the 23rd morning has 3ft from the SSE, cross-off wind, energy 131 – still poor. Thursday afternoon fades to 2ft. Friday the 24th morning is glassy but only 2ft, energy 38. Saturday the 25th morning glassy again, 2ft. The rest of the week is a mix of onshore, cross-shore, and tiny swell, never breaking 2ft. Energy stays below 100. There’s a brief pulse on Tuesday the 28th afternoon with 5ft from the south, period 6 seconds, but the wind is fresh cross-onshore and lumpy – energy 142, but still poor surf. Wednesday the 29th morning has 4ft, energy 103, but again cross-onshore and choppy. After that, from the 30th of July through the 3rd of August, we’re looking at 2ft and below, with energy in the teens and twenties. Really flat.

So, no standout days. The best of a bad lot is Wednesday the 22nd of July morning, but even that’s a stretch. For a break that’s usually very consistent, this is a tough run. The winds are mostly cross or onshore, and the swell is too short-period to build any real shape. Don’t waste the petrol. Forecasts can change, so keep an eye out, but right now it’s a no-go.

Rusty.

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