Ammonias Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Well, folks, it’s Rusty here, and I gotta be straight with you—this 16-day stretch for Ammonias is a real tough one to swallow. We’re looking at a long, bleak run with hardly a window worth paddling out for. The first solid recommendation doesn’t show up until mid-period, and even then, it’s nothing to write home about. Let’s break it down.

The overall pattern is dominated by a persistent ENE breeze, mostly cross or cross-onshore, mixing up a lumpy, choppy mess on the reef. The combined swell energy early on is weak to moderate (355 to 600), with short-period windswell (6 to 8 seconds) that just doesn’t have the juice. The water temperature is sitting at 80°F, which is bang on average for this time of year—no surprises there.

From Thursday 6th August right through to Sunday 10th August, it’s a write-off. Scores are zero across the board, with poor surf conditions and a cross-chop that’ll have you fighting the board more than riding it. The swell is tiny or mismatched, and that ENE wind just won’t let up.

Monday 11th August sees a shift in swell direction to SSW, with a longer period of 15 seconds, but the wind is still cross-onshore and the wave height is only 2 ft. The energy jumps to 546 (moderate), but it’s still a marginal call at best. Tuesday 12th August afternoon brings a clearer sky and a more promising S swell with a very long period of 18 seconds and energy climbing to 1198 (strong). The 4 ft swell is small, but those long lines could offer some shape for the reef—if the wind were offshore. It’s not; it’s cross-shore, so expect a bit of texture.

The standout—if you can call it that—is Wednesday 12th August afternoon. The swell is from the south at 4 ft, with a period of 18 seconds (very long, classic groundswell) and combined energy of 1198 (strong). The water is clear, and the wind is cross-shore. For a reef break like Ammonias, that long period is a bonus—it’ll wrap in nicely, with better shape and longer gaps between sets. It’s not big, but it’s the best on offer. However, the cross-shore breeze means it won’t be glassy, so you’ll have to put up with a little cross-chop. Crowds are *often* a thing here, so expect company.

From Thursday 13th August onward, the swell stays from the south with periods of 14 to 16 seconds, but the wind remains cross-shore or cross-onshore, and the scores never climb above a 2 out of 10. The energy is strong (800 to 1198), but the combination of average wave heights and persistent wind keeps it marginal at best. By Saturday 15th August, the swell swings back to short-period ENE windswell, bumping up to 7 ft at 7 seconds, but the wind is fresh cross-shore, creating a lumpy, messy surface. Not worth it.

The tail end of the forecast, from 19th to 21st August, sees the swell drop back to 2 to 2 ft, but with a very long period of 19 to 21 seconds from the SSW/SW. The energy is still moderate to strong (577 to 691), but the wave heights are tiny, and the wind is persistent cross-shore. It’s a tease.

Bottom line: if you’re desperate, Wednesday 12th August afternoon is the pick of a very poor bunch. Don’t expect much else. The first week is a total right-off, and the second week barely offers anything rideable.

Rusty.

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