Aileen's Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty, and I’ve been looking at what’s coming up at Aileen’s. It’s a world-class reef break that only really fires on a solid, clean WSW swell, but it’s inconsistent—so you take the good days when they come. Water temp is bang on average for this time of year, so no worries there.

Right now, Thursday 13th August, it’s a bit of a quiet start. There’s a small 4ft swell rolling in from the WSW with a 10-second period, which gives it a bit of shape, but the cross-shore breeze is messing with it. The combined swell energy is sitting at 294 (moderate), but the wind’s just light enough to keep it clean-ish. Still, only a score of 1 out of 10 here—marginal at best. Thursday afternoon turns onshore and it’s gone.

Friday 14th through to the start of Monday 17th is a write-off. Onshore winds, choppy, small—less than 3ft—and the energy drops way down. A real nothing stretch.

Monday 17th morning sees a bump in size to 6ft from the WSW, but a fresh 35 km/h cross-onshore wind makes it lumpy and messy. Combined energy hits 249 (moderate). Not for a paddle board. By Tuesday 18th the wind kicks up even harder, 45 km/h from the SW, and the swell is 6ft again, but it’s a ropy mess. This setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

Then we get to Wednesday 19th August—this is the big one. The swell jumps to 13ft from the west with an 11-second period. That’s big, solid groundswell with combined energy off the charts at 3811 (very strong). But it’s howling cross-onshore at 30 km/h from the NW. That size is expert-only territory, and the wind is going to ruin it. Same story in the afternoon, 12ft from the WNW. A real shame.

Now, Thursday 20th August morning is the standout. The swell drops to a manageable 4ft from the WNW, period at 9 seconds, and the wind swings light NNE at 10 km/h—cross-off, clean conditions. Combined energy is 346 (moderate). It’s the only time in this whole 16-day window where the stars line up. Score is 2 out of 10, but for Aileen’s that’s as good as it gets. Expect clean, glassy surf. Crowds are often here, so you’ll have company, but worth it for a wave on this reef.

After that, from Thursday afternoon right through to the end of the outlook on Friday 28th August, it’s a long, poor run. Mostly small, onshore, or big and messy. Friday 21st has offshore wind from the east at 15 km/h but only 2ft of swell—not enough to get excited. Sunday 23rd morning has a gentle offshore too, with 3ft from the west, but the energy is low at 119 (weak). Still, you could get a fun knee-high wave on the longboard.

Other than that, it’s mostly onshore slop or flat. The 27th and 28th show some size again (6ft to 7ft) but it’s all cross-onshore and lumpy. Nothing to call home about.

So to be blunt—Thursday 20th August morning is your one shot. Get it while it’s clean, because the rest of the month is looking frustrated.

Rusty.

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