Smugglers Cove Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again, switching to feet and Fahrenheit for you. So, looking at our local setup, gotta be honest – this forecast is a test of patience. The first real chance of something to ride is Wednesday, August 19th. Before that, Monday and Tuesday are duds with poor conditions. You’re looking at about a two-day gap before anything is worth mentioning.

Smugglers Cove is our only spot in this outlook, and it’s a beginner-friendly break that works best with a west swell. It’s fairly consistent, but crowds can show up sometimes. The water is biting cold right now, coming in at 54°F, which is 5°F colder than normal. That’s a big anomaly, so make sure you’ve got a thick wetsuit.

Wednesday the 19th is where things start to look up. The morning is still poor, but by the afternoon the swell picks up to about 4ft from the WNW, with a moderate combined energy (528). The period is around 12 seconds, so there’s some decent groundswell in there, giving the waves a bit more shape. Wind is a light cross-shore from the NW, so it’ll be a touch lumpy but perfectly fine for the beginner crew. It’s only a marginal call, but it’s the best we’ve seen.

Thursday the 20th is a similar story. Morning swell hits 5ft from the WNW (combined energy of 530) with light cross-onshore winds. The period drops a little to 11 seconds. Quality is still only marginal, likely down to tide. By the afternoon, it drops back to 4ft. Not a classic, but the best window of the first week.

Friday the 21st goes downhill. Wind swings to the SW at 12 mph, creating a moderate cross-onshore chop. The swell is 4ft but the period shortens to a weak 8 seconds, making for lumpy, weak surf. The afternoon goes offshore, but the energy is only moderate. Not a standout.

From Saturday the 22nd through the end of the month, it’s mostly small, weak, and choppy. Swell stays under 3ft for days, often with short periods and onshore or cross-shore winds. There are a few clean moments with cross-offshore winds on the 23rd, 29th, and 30th of August, but wave heights are tiny – mostly 1ft to 3ft. The combined energy barely cracks 200s. The water stays cold, and the flatness persists.

Looking into the start of September, the story doesn’t change. Tiny swell, poor conditions.

Bottom line: if you’re keen for a paddle, Wednesday the 19th or Thursday the 20th of August is your best shot. It’s not going to be perfect, but it’s the only window with a bit of push and manageable wind. The rest is a waiting game.

Stay warm, and I’ll see you in the water.
Rusty.

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