Menakoz Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.

Well, I gotta be straight with you – it’s a brutal stretch ahead for the Basque Coast. The next 16 days are looking pretty grim. We’re talking about a long, dry spell with almost nothing worth paddling out for. The first real glimmer of something surfable doesn’t even show up until Monday the 10th of August, and even then, it’s barely a whisper.

For the first week and a half, from the 1st through the 9th, it’s a total write-off. The swell is tiny, the period is short, and the wind is mostly cross or onshore, chopping up whatever little bump there is. There’s a bit of glass on Tuesday morning the 4th, but with a 1 ft swell from the NW and a period of 9 seconds, the combined energy is a measly 30. It’s just not enough to push a ripple. That’s a lot of days with nothing on the menu.

Menakoz is the only spot on the cards, and it’s a reef setup that’s for experts only, and fairly consistent when there’s swell. But for days, it’s just not happening. The wind is mostly from the NW, which is a cross-on for this spot, and that’s not helping.

The first real sign of life comes on Monday morning, the 10th of August. The wind drops to zero, glassy conditions, and we get a 4 ft NW swell with an 8-second period. The combined energy climbs to 156, which is moderate. It’s still not amazing, but it’s the best we’ve seen. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so no surprises there.

Then Tuesday the 11th of August morning offers a little hope with a light cross-offshore breeze from the east, giving us clean conditions. The swell is 2 ft from the NW, period 8 seconds, energy at 67. It’s surfable, but very ordinary.

The standout, if you can call it that, is that Monday morning the 10th. That 4 ft of NW swell with glassy conditions is the only time the stars align for a clean wave. But at 4 ft, it’s a small wave, and on a reef, it’ll be a fun little wedge for the experts. Crowds are likely here, so you’ll have company.

After the 11th, it drops right back down. The 12th through the 16th are all back to tiny, weak, and choppy. The combined energy drops to double digits, and the swell is practically non-existent. It’s a real shame.

So, to sum it up: if you’re desperate, the morning of Monday the 10th of August is your only window for a clean, glassy session on a small NW swell. Everything else is a skip. The forecast can change, but right now, it’s a long wait.

Rusty.

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