Anglet - La Petite Madrague Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty. Let's talk about what's on the menu for the next 16 days.

Honestly, it's a tough start. The first few days are looking pretty grim for La Petite Madrague. Sunday, the 26th of July, is a write-off with rain showers and a strong cross-on shore wind from the WNW at 12 mph, making a mess of the 4.9 ft to 5.2 ft swell. The water is a balmy 77.2°, but that's a massive 6.7° warmer than usual for this time of year, which feels very unusual. The energy is weak to moderate (240), and the short 7-second period doesn't do it any favours. Monday is a bit better with a 5.2 ft swell from the NW, but the wind is still cross or cross-on, leaving it choppy and uninviting.

The first real glimmer of hope comes on Tuesday morning, the 28th of July. We get a clean offshore wind from the East at 6 mph, which is a game-changer. The swell is a solid 4.3 ft from the NW, wrapping in with a decent 10-second period and moderate energy (362). The waves will be clean, which is a major positive. The occasional crowd is possible here, but it’s a beginner-friendly spot, so expect a few people out. This is your best window in the first week, no question.

After that, it's a long, dry spell. From Tuesday afternoon through to the 5th of August, the surf drops off and the wind is mostly poor. We are looking at nearly a week of tiny, weak swells and onshore winds. It’s a frustrating stretch, with not much to get excited about.

Then, on the 6th of August, Thursday morning, there's a tiny window with a 2.6 ft swell from the NW and a light cross-offshore wind from the NE. It's described as "surfable but very ordinary," so it's just a paddle to wet your wetsuit, not a session to write home about.

Now, the long-range forecast for the 8th of August, Saturday, is the real wild card. A big, powerful NW swell is due to push in, with heights hitting 9.8 ft and a long 11-second period. The energy is enormous (1815), which means it's a strong, powerful swell. However, the wind is forecast to be onshore, strong from the WSW at 16 mph. That combo is going to be a messy, churning washing machine. The wave height is over 8.2 ft, so this is for experts only, and the onshore wind will make it a battle. The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. The 9th of August is similar, with a dropping 5.9 ft swell but still onshore wind.

So, the standout is Tuesday morning, the 28th of July. Get out there early for the cleanest conditions of the whole window. The long-range stuff on the 8th is a promise of big swell, but the wind will likely ruin it.

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