Port Isaac Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get down to it. This is a tough stretch for Port Isaac, no sugar-coating it. The first week and a half is pretty much a write-off. We’ve got a few pulses of swell, but the wind is constantly messing it up – mostly cross-onshore or onshore, creating bumpy, lumpy, and choppy conditions. The water temperature is sitting at 63°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least it’s pleasant to sit out there and wait for a wave that never comes right.

We start from Wednesday the 22nd of July, and honestly, it’s grim. Small swell, 3ft from the NNW, but the wind is pumping from the north at 12 mph, making it a choppy mess. The combined swell energy is a weak 52, so there’s just no power. This runs right through the end of July. There’s a little spike on Sunday the 26th with 6ft swell from the WNW, but again, the wind is cross-onshore at 16 mph, and the energy is moderate at 305, but it’s all wind chop. Not worth paddling out for.

We hit a dry patch of no real surf until the end of the month. The 31st of July sees a little bump to 4ft from the west with a period of 8 seconds, but the wind is still cross-shore at 12 mph, making it a cross-chop. The energy is up to 161, but it’s still poor.

Then, finally, on the 1st of August, we get something that’s borderline. Saturday morning shows 4ft from the west, period of 9 seconds, and the wind is light and cross-shore at 9 mph. The energy is solid at 268, but it’s only rated as marginal. It’s something to look at, but not a standout.

The real standout, and the only one I’d get excited about, is Tuesday the 4th of August. This is the one. We’ve got a clean 4ft swell from the west, with a period of 10 seconds. The wind is offshore from the southeast at 16 mph, which will groom the waves beautifully. The combined energy is strong at 307. This is the best bet in the whole 16-day window. The swell direction is a good match for the break, and with that offshore wind, it’ll be clean and lined up. This is a session for the experienced surfers; 4ft with that energy and offshore wind will produce some punchy, fun waves. The crowds are likely to be there, as it’s the only real window of quality.

After that, the 5th and 6th of August tail off again with smaller, weaker swell and inconsistent winds. So, to sum it up: you’re waiting nearly two weeks for the one good day. The 4th of August is your window. For the rest of that time, you’re probably better off checking the forecast again or finding something else to do. The setup is not ideal for kite surfing either, given the chop and onshore winds for most of it.

Rusty.

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