Nauset Light Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m telling you straight up: the next couple of weeks at Nauset Light Beach are looking pretty grim for a proper paddle. I've scanned the charts, and there's just not much to get excited about here on the Cape.

Right off the bat, from Monday the 24th of August all the way through to the end of the month, we’re looking at tiny, weak dribble. Swell is barely scraping 2 ft, mostly from the SE or ESE, with a weak period that’s around 6 to 10 seconds. The combined wave energy is laughably low, sitting in the 30s (32) or even down into single digits. It’s poor surf, pure and simple. You’d be fighting for a knee-high slop that closes out before you even get to your feet. The wind is mostly offshore or cross-offshore, so the surface is clean, but there’s simply no power behind it. It’s a classic case of clean but flat.

Things get a little weird heading into the first week of September. From the 1st to the 2nd, we see a long-period groundswell (14–18 seconds) trying to push in, but the height is still tiny at 0.7 ft. The energy is still weak (62), and the wind is onshore or cross-shore, making it a choppy, messy affair. Not worth the drive.

Then, on Thursday the 3rd of September, the swell finally shows a pulse. We’re looking at 3 ft from the SE, with a period of 12–13 seconds. The combined energy jumps to 223, which is solid. But here’s the dealbreaker: the wind is a strong, onshore NE breeze at 19 mph. That’s going to chop it up into a lumpy, blown-out mess. The water is still around 69°, which is about average for this time of year, but the wind is the enemy here. This setup is more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

The strongest pulse hits on Saturday the 5th of September. The swell jumps to 4 ft from the ENE, with a period of 13 seconds. The energy is massive, hitting 861. This is the biggest swell of the whole window. But again, the wind is a howling onshore from the ENE at 22 mph. The wave comment says "poor surf conditions," and at 4 ft with that strong wind, it’s going to be a washing machine. It’s a shame, because the size is there, but the quality is just not.

The wind finally eases up on Sunday the 7th of September, but the swell is already dropping back to 2 ft from the E. The energy is moderate (104), and the wind is light onshore. It’s a step in the right direction, but the size is gone.

The only glimmer of hope comes on Tuesday the 8th of September. The swell is only 2 ft from the E, with an 11-second period, and the energy is weak (72). But the wind is offshore from the WSW, blowing 12 mph. The wave comment finally says "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions." It’s a clean, glassy morning, but the height is just too small to call it a standout. It’s the best of a bad bunch, but it’s a struggle to get excited about.

So, overall, this is a blank run for Nauset Light Beach. The energy is there on the 3rd and 5th, but the onshore winds ruin it. If you’re desperate for a paddle, the offshore wind on the 8th will give you the cleanest surface, but don’t expect any real waves. It’s a tough run for the Cape.

Rusty.

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