Scratby Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on offer for Scratby over the next couple of weeks. I’ll be straight with you, mate – it’s a bit of a tough stretch. The forecast shows a lot of days where the wind is just not playing ball, blowing cross-on or onshore, and the swell is pretty weak and short-period. It’s going to be a real waiting game.

For the first week and a half, from the 12th of July right through to the 22nd, it’s essentially a write-off. The combined swell energy is mostly in the weak to moderate range, often under 100, and the period is as low as 5 or 6 seconds. That’s windswell, not groundswell. The wind is a constant problem, too – fresh cross-onshore breezes from the NE or NNE will leave the surface lumpy and choppy. It’s not going to be any fun for a paddle surfer, honestly. If you’re into kitesurfing, a beach setup with that much cross-on wind might be a bit more interesting, but for a surfboard? Forget it.

The water temperature is a huge standout here though. It’s sitting at 65°F, which is a massive 6°F warmer than normal for this time of year. That’s really unusual, so you won’t need a thick wetsuit, but the waves just aren’t there to enjoy it.

After a long, blank run, we finally get a glimmer of hope. The 23rd of July shows a bit more life, but the wind is still messy. The real standout is the 24th of July (Friday morning). The wind finally swings around to a light offshore from the W, and we’ve got a 5ft swell from the N with a period of 8 seconds. The combined energy jumps to 405 (moderate wave energy), which is the strongest of the whole run. The forecast says “expect good surf conditions,” and with offshore wind, it should be clean. Just be aware, it’s only a 5ft swell, so it’s not huge, but it’s the best we’ll see. The swell direction is from the N, which is the optimum for Scratby according to the guides. It’s a spot that’s “inconsistent,” so a day like this is a bonus.

The 25th of July (Saturday morning) also has potential, with another 5ft N swell and a longer period of 10 seconds (groundswell), and a moderate offshore wind from the WNW. The combined energy is strong at 356. This is also a good option, but it’s a bit further out, so treat it as promising but not locked in. The period is getting longer, which means better-shaped waves, but the afternoon turns ugly with a fresh cross-shore.

So, if you’ve been patient, the 24th of July morning is the clear winner. A clean, offshore morning with a decent N swell. The 25th morning is a close second. After that, the surf fades away again into weak, messy conditions for the rest of the period.

Rusty.

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