Ammonias Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s be straight up with you: Ammonias is looking at a pretty grim run over the next two weeks. The first week is a write-off, with persistent cross and cross-onshore winds from the ENE keeping things choppy and messy. The combined swell energy stays mostly in the moderate range, around the 350 to 600 mark, but the wind just won’t let it come together. There’s a big gap of about four to five days at the start where I wouldn’t even bother paddling out.

Things start to look a little more interesting around the 12th of August. We see a long-period S/SW groundswell showing up, with periods of 15 to 18 seconds and the combined energy jumping well into the strong range — over 1000. That’s a proper pulse of energy, but the catch is the wind is still cross or cross-on from the ENE at 12 to 13 mph. That’s going to put a chop on the face and spoil the cleanliness.

The best of a bad bunch looks to be Wednesday afternoon the 12th of August and Thursday afternoon the 13th. Those afternoons have the swell from the S at 4ft to 5ft with a period of 15 to 18 seconds, meaning good power and shape potential, but the cross-shore wind will still leave a bit of texture on the surface. The water’s sitting around 80°, which is about average for the time of year — nothing out of the ordinary there.

If I had to pick one standout, it’s the Wednesday afternoon (12th August). That S swell at 4ft and 18 seconds is coming with serious long-period groundswell energy (combined energy at 1181), which is great for this reef break since reefs love that longer period. Just keep an eye on the moderate cross-shore wind — it won’t be glassy, but it’s the best you’re going to get in this 16-day window.

Later in the window, around the 15th to 17th, the swell bumps up to 7ft to 7ft from the ENE, but that’s short-period windswell (6 to 8 seconds) and the wind stays cross or cross-on at 15 to 19 mph. That’s going to be lumpy, messy, and not worth your time unless you’re on a kite.

Honestly, Ammonias is not delivering this run. The consistent thing here is poor conditions. It’s a tough stretch, but forecasts can change, so don’t write the whole season off yet.

Stay patient,
Rusty

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