Port Louis Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the menu for Port Louis.

First up, the water is sitting at a warm 77°, which is a touch warmer than we'd normally expect for this time of year. That's a nice little bonus. The swell window is open from the south and southwest, but the wind is a stubborn easterly, blowing cross-offshore at a solid 19 mph. That's keeping things from getting too messy, but it's a constant companion.

The forecast has a real gap to start. From Monday, the 3rd of August, all the way through the first week, the surf is just too poor to get excited about. We're looking at small, weak waves with combined energy readings barely cracking 200 to 600 (weak to moderate energy). The swell is there, but it's small, short period, and the conditions are just off. Expect a blank run for the first week. It's a tough start, but it won't last forever.

Things start to show a pulse around Tuesday, the 11th of August. The swell picks up a little, with combined energy climbing into the 600-700 range (moderate). The cross-off wind eases back to 12 mph, which is a big improvement. The waves are still a bit on the small side, but there's a hint of life. By Wednesday, the 12th, the swell pushes over 5 ft from the SSW, and the energy jumps to 1271 (strong). The wind, however, swings to the southeast, turning into a cross-shore breeze that creates a bit of a cross-chop.

The real standout, and the only one I'd really call a highlight, is looking like Wednesday, the 13th of August. The swell hits 7 ft to 8 ft from the SSW, with a period of 13 to 16 seconds. That's a proper groundswell with real energy, and the combined energy reading is a massive 3083 to 3230 (strong). The problem is, the wind is still a fresh cross-shore from the southeast at 19 mph, which is going to make it lumpy. This is expert territory. The wave size is well over 8 ft, so it's not for the faint of heart. The long period (13-16 seconds) means the waves will have plenty of power and shape, but at a beach break, they can close out a bit. The setup is better for a point or reef, but Port Louis is a sandbar. If you're an experienced surfer and don't mind a bit of chop, the 13th is the day to be in the water. The following days, from the 14th to the 17th, continue to offer solid 6 ft to 7 ft swell with strong energy, but the cross-shore wind remains a factor, keeping the conditions from being truly clean. This is a period for the dedicated, not the casual.

So, to wrap it up: endure the first week of nothing. Your best bet is the 13th of August for the biggest, most powerful swell, but be prepared for lumpy conditions and a crowd that knows what they're doing. The 14th and 15th offer a little less size but still plenty of grunt.

Rusty.

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