Woolacombe Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Woolacombe.

First thing you need to know: the surf is pretty much non-existent for the next two weeks, and when it finally shows up, it’s not exactly going to be a classic. The water is sitting at 66°, which is a good few degrees warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t be freezing your toes off waiting for a set.

We’re looking at a long, dry spell. From Monday 27 July right through until Sunday 9 August, the waves are tiny – mostly under 2ft, often a lot smaller. The wind is a problem too: it’s almost always onshore or cross-onshore, from the west or west-northwest, with speeds up to 16 mph to 25 mph. That’s blowing out any chance of decent shape. The swell energy is weak, with readings mostly between 8 and 68. There’s nothing to get excited about here. A few mornings on 2 August and 3 August show clean conditions with light offshore or cross-off winds, but the swell is barely 0.7ft to 1ft with a period around 8 seconds, so you’re looking at knee-high dribble at best.

The only real standout in the whole 16-day window comes on Tuesday 11 August. The morning of the 11th: the swell picks up to a waist-high 4ft from the west, with a period of 9 seconds and moderate combined wave energy of 207. The wind is glassy – a light westerly breeze of 3 mph. That’s about as good as it gets here. The waves will be clean, but “very ordinary conditions” is the honest call. The afternoon sees the swell drop back to 3ft, but the wind swings onshore, so the morning is your window.

Before that, on Sunday 9 August afternoon, there’s a spike in energy to 4ft from the west and a period of 11 seconds, with a strong combined energy reading of 515. But the wind is cross-onshore at 16 mph, so it’ll be choppy and messy. Monday 10 August has 5ft swell from the west-southwest (10 seconds), but again, cross-onshore winds and combined energy in the 490s. That’s a lot of water moving around, but with the wind on it, it’s going to be a washing machine. This kind of setup at a beach and reef break like Woolacombe might be more interesting for kite surfers than paddle surfers.

So, to cut to the chase: the best surf on offer is the glassy morning of Tuesday 11 August. It’s the only time the wind and swell line up. Even then, it’s not a classic. The rest of the period is a write-off. Don’t hold your breath.

Rusty.

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