Albatross Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty. Let's get into it.

We’ve got a run of surf coming up at Albatross, a sheltered beach and reef setup that loves a good SSW to SW swell. Water temp is sitting at 56°, which is far colder than usual for this time of year, so you’ll want a good 5/4 and booties.

The action starts Saturday afternoon, 22 August, with a 6ft SW swell, but a 22 mph cross-off wind is gonna make things a bit scratchy and marginal. Honestly, I’d let that one slide.

Sunday the 23rd is where it gets interesting. Morning glass is on: clean 8ft SW swell with an offshore breeze of just 3 mph. That’s a solid start. The afternoon holds 8ft SW with a light cross-off, still very clean.

Monday the 24th keeps it going – clean 7ft SW swell in the morning with a slight offshore, and then the afternoon holds 6ft SW with the wind staying offshore. Long period groundswell at 12 seconds, so there's proper energy (combined energy of all swells directed here 1210). This is the best run of clean, rideable surf in the first week.

Tuesday the 25th is the standout of the first week. Morning brings a 10ft SW swell, 14-second period, and gentle offshore wind. This is expert territory at over 8ft. The combined energy of all swells directed here is 3150, which is strong. Excellent conditions for experienced surfers. Expect consistent sets and a lot of power. The afternoon is similar at 8ft.

Then things get messy. Wednesday the 26th and Thursday the 27th are blown out with strong cross-onshore winds and lumpy, choppy conditions. The swell is still there, but it's not worth paddling out.

Friday the 28th morning is glassy with a 5ft S swell (combined energy of all swells directed here 534). It's small but clean. The afternoon gets choppy again.

The weekend of the 29th is a write-off – strong cross-shore winds and lumpy chop.

Sunday the 30th morning is a beast: 13ft WSW swell, 10-second period, with a cross-off wind. Combined energy of all swells directed here is 3507, which is very strong. This is for experts only. The afternoon though, gets smashed by a 28 mph wind, making it poor.

Monday the 31st morning has a 10ft SW swell but a 19 mph cross-off, marginal. The afternoon is much better: 10ft SW with a solid offshore breeze (12 mph) and clean. Excellent for experienced surfers.

Tuesday 1st September is onshore and choppy all day. Skip it.

Wednesday 2nd September afternoon is a gem: glassy conditions, 7ft SW swell, 12-second period, and combined energy of all swells directed here at 1567. Very good surf.

Thursday 3rd September is big and offshore. Morning has 12ft SW, afternoon has 13ft WSW, both with strong offshore winds. Expert territory.

And now the second week’s real standout: Friday 4th September. Morning is glassy with a massive 20ft SW swell, 14-second period, and combined energy of all swells directed here at 11998. That’s exceptional for experts. The afternoon holds 18ft SW with a clean cross-off. This is the best of the whole forecast.

Saturday 5th September morning is still big at 18ft, but the wind picks up. Sunday 6th September has the biggest numbers: 23ft SW swell in the morning (combined energy of all swells directed here 19156), with a cross-off wind, and the afternoon holds 21ft with a fresh offshore. This is huge, powerful, and for absolute experts only. This late in the forecast, keep an eye on it – it's promising but less certain.

For the best of the best, I’m calling Friday 4th September morning as the true standout: glassy, massive, and clean. The runner-up is Tuesday 25th August morning for that first week.

Rusty.

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