Ammonias Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright crew, Rusty here. Let’s get into what this stretch has in store.

It’s a tough start, no two ways about it. The only spot in the mix is Ammonias, a reef break that’s fairly consistent but real picky about direction. The water’s sitting at 80°, which is about average for now.

Thursday, August 20th, we’ve got a tiny SSW swell at 2 ft, but it’s coming from the wrong direction – Ammonias wants it from the SSE. The morning has a light cross-shore breeze, but the energy is weak (267) and the conditions are only marginal. The afternoons are worse. This whole pattern of small, poorly-directed swell and onshore or cross-shore winds carries through the rest of the week. The swell gets a bit bigger Sunday the 23rd, hitting 6 ft, but it’s a short-period 7-second E windswell with a 30 km/h cross-shore wind. That’s a lumpy, choppy mess. The energy is moderate (604) but it’s just not surfable.

The first week is a total bust. Days go by with no real recommendations. That ENE wind is a constant pain, and the swell direction is always off.

Now, as we get into the second week, there’s a glimmer of hope, but call it a cautious maybe. By Saturday, August 29th, the swell is still only 4 ft, but the direction shifts to E, which is closer to what Ammonias likes. The period stretches to 15 seconds – proper groundswell – and the energy is moderate (1044). The wind is still a cross-shore from the ENE at 20 km/h, but the conditions are only marginal. It’s the best we’ve seen.

Then, on Monday, August 31st, the swell really fires up. We’re talking 7 ft of E swell with a 13-second period. The energy is strong (1761). But here’s the catch: that’s expert-only territory, and with a 25 km/h cross-shore wind, it’ll be a lumpy challenge. This is the standout window, but it’s a long way off and the forecast is less certain. The reef can handle the size, but the wind is a problem.

The first few days of September follow the same pattern: big, strong ENE swell (7 ft to 8 ft) with moderate to fresh cross-shore winds. The energy is very strong (over 1600) but the conditions are still only marginal. For the hardcore crew, there might be a window, but it won’t be pretty.

The swell drops off hard by Wednesday, September 2nd, back to a weak 2 ft S swell. The final day, Friday, September 4th, is a 6 ft ENE windswell with onshore wind. No good.

So, bottom line: first week is a total dud. Second week has size and energy, but it’s messy and for experts only. Beginners, stay home. Experts, keep an eye on the end of August and start of September, but don’t expect perfection. Ammonias is the only spot, and it’s a tough one.

Rusty.

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