Scratby Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's take a look at what's cookin' at Scratby, but in feet and degrees Fahrenheit.

Right from the start, it's a tough stretch. For the first two weeks of July, Scratby is basically flat and blown out. Day after day, you're looking at tiny, weak surf under onshore and cross-shore winds. The combined energy barely breaks 25 for most of that time, often stuck in the single digits or teens. That means a lot of time staring at a flat ocean. From Wednesday the 8th right through to Monday the 21st of July, it's a long, quiet run with nothing worth paddling out for.

Things finally change around Tuesday the 21st of July. That morning, the swell jumps to about 8ft from the north, with a 9-second period. The combined energy is a massive 1052, so there's plenty of power. The wind is a gentle cross-shore, but it's still marginal—probably tricky with the tide. The real standout is that afternoon. We get a solid 10ft north swell, still a 9-second period, and the wind swings to a cross-off from the NNW at only about 9 mph. That's clean, glassy conditions, and the energy reading is a huge 1386. This is heavy groundswell—long period stuff, so expect real lines, long lulls between sets, and a lot of water moving. At 10ft, this is strictly for experts; beginners and intermediates need to stay on the beach. The break is Scratby, and it's exposed to north swells, so it's catching everything. It's an inconsistent spot here, so when it lights up like this, you don't miss it. Water temp is about 64°F, which is much warmer than average for this time of year by over 5°F—that's very unusual, so you might be able to get away with a thinner suit.

Wednesday the 22nd of July morning, the swell drops to about 6ft from the north, still cross-off from the NW at about 15 mph, with energy at 431. That's still solid, a step down from the peak, and the wind is a bit stiffer. The afternoon gets messier with lighter cross-shore wind and the swell down to about 6ft.

By Thursday the 23rd of July morning, we're looking at smaller, clean waves with a light offshore from the WNW at about 6 mph, swell at 3ft from the NNE. It's surfable but nothing to write home about. The afternoon goes onshore and choppy again.

Bottom line: the first two weeks are a bust. The one true standout is Tuesday afternoon, the 21st of July—that's the one for the experienced crew who can handle big, powerful north swell in clean, cross-off wind. Mark your calendar.

Rusty.

Read more