Porth Ceriad Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab a coffee, because I’ve been staring at the charts for Porth Ceriad, and I’ve got to be straight with you: it’s going to be a tough stretch. We’re looking at a solid run of small, messy, junky surf. I’m not going to sugarcoat it.

The next week is looking pretty flat and blown out. We’ve got a weak, short-period swell in the water, but it’s getting chopped up by cross-shore and cross-onshore winds, mainly from the west and southwest. The water’s noticeably warm for this time of year, running about 2°F warmer than average, which is nice for the skin, but that’s about the only positive.

Saturday morning (the 5th) kicks things off with just 2ft of weak, 6-second windswell and a cross-shore breeze making it choppy. The energy is low (46). It’s a no-go. The wind swings onshore later, and we stay in that frustrating 2ft to 3ft range with poor conditions through Sunday.

Monday the 7th sees the swell nudge up, but the combined energy (123) is still weak and the period is a short 6 seconds. It’s lumpy and cross-shore, and even though the size hits 5ft Monday afternoon, the wind is a fresh cross-onshore, turning it into a complete mess. This isn’t surf; it’s a washing machine.

We get a slight lull midweek, with the swell dropping off to nothing by Wednesday. Then there’s a tiny bump of 4ft on Thursday, but with a 5-second period and a cross-onshore breeze, it’s barely a ripple. Honestly, it’s a write-off. There’s about a solid week-plus here where I wouldn’t even bother paddling out. It’s a long, flat, poor spell.

The second week doesn’t offer much hope either. There are a few days with cleaner conditions, like Friday the 12th with a north offshore breeze and glassy water, but the swell is down to 1ft to 2ft, with a weak 8-second period and minimal energy (25). It’s clean, but there’s nothing to ride.

By the 16th, we’re down to literally 0.3ft of swell. It’s flat. Then, late in the period, around the 18th and 19th, we see the period jump to 12 and 16 seconds, which is a long-period groundswell signal, but the height is negligible. It’s a tease. That long-period energy will be breaking too straight for a beach break anyway, and with no size behind it, it’s nothing to get excited about.

So, what’s the best on offer? Honestly, the pick of a very bad bunch is the clean windows around the 11th and 12th. The wind will be offshore, making the water look inviting, but the swell is so small and weak that it’s only any good for a longboard and a lot of patience. It’s not a standout by any means; it’s just the least bad.

If this setup looks more interesting for a kite, you’d be right. With cross-shore winds and some lumpy swell, that’s where the action is. But for paddle surfing, this is a long, flat, frustrating run. The forecast can always change, but don’t hold your breath.

Rusty.

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