Sant Martí d'Empúries Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G'day, Rusty here. It’s a pretty quiet stretch ahead for the Costa Brava. We’ve got a long gap of flat or tiny, messy conditions to sit through before things finally get interesting right at the end of the outlook. Strap in, it’s a waiting game.

First up, there’s nothing worth paddling out for from now until the middle of next week. We’re looking at a solid week or more of tiny, weak waves – most days showing less than 2ft of swell with periods under 5 seconds, and energy readings in the single digits or even zero. The wind is often glassy or light, but there's just no push behind it. You’ll spend more time floating than surfing. The water temperature is sitting at a very warm 77° for this time of year – a touch warmer than normal, so at least the wait will be comfortable.

Then, on Wednesday the 9th, things change in a big way. A sudden pulse from the north hits, with 7ft of swell at 6 seconds. The energy jumps to 325, which is strong, but the period is short and the wind is cross. It’s a lot of lumpy, messy ocean. By Wednesday afternoon the energy peaks at 344 and the wind stays cross. The waves are predicted to be too big for this break, so unless you’re an expert and don’t mind some chop, it’s a pass. This spot breaks inconsistently and crowds are possible, but I’d say this day is really more for kite surfers than paddle surfers – the setup looks way more interesting for them.

Thursday the 10th and Friday the 11th drop off into the 4ft to 5ft range, with weak periods of 5 seconds and energy around 71 to 134 (moderate). The wind is glassy or light cross-off on those mornings, and it’s described as “surfable but ordinary.” You could get a few knee-high to waist-high lines at Sant Martí d'Empúries, but nothing special. The swell is coming from the north, which isn’t the optimum east direction for this exposed spot.

After another flat spell from Saturday the 12th right through the following week, the real standout arrives on Friday the 18th of September. This is the one to circle on the calendar. Friday morning delivers 5ft of north-easterly swell with a 6-second period, and the combined energy hits 275 (strong). The wind is glassy from the west-northwest – true offshore for this break. The forecast says “expect good surf conditions,” and that’s the best call of the whole outlook. Sant Martí d'Empúries (Costa Brava) should have clean, chest-high sets under those offshore conditions. The period is short, so it won’t be like a slow groundswell, but with glassy conditions and that size, it’ll be fun. Remember this spot is inconsistent and can get crowded sometimes, so get in early. It drops off again that afternoon as the wind swings cross.

So, the long story short: there’s a massive flat spell to sit through, a messy big day mid-week that’s more for kites, and then one real highlight on Friday the 18th. Make your plans for that day.

Rusty.

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