Bay Front Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get real about the next couple of weeks. Gotta be straight with you – this isn’t a classic run. We’ve got a long stretch of messy, onshore junk before we finally see a window of clean conditions. The water temp is sitting at 81°, which is a touch warmer than average for this time of year, but you’ll be sweating it out in the lineup more than you’ll be shivering.

Our first recommendation doesn’t even come in until Sunday the 16th. Before that, we’re looking at a solid week of blustery northerly winds and building, choppy swell. Conditions are just poor for a paddle board. The energy starts to climb, hitting a moderate 612 on Friday the 14th, but it’s all wind-affected. By Saturday the 15th we’ve got a massive 15ft swell showing up, but with a strong onshore breeze, it’s a total mess. That setup is more interesting for kite surfing than a traditional surfboard.

So, the first real chance comes on Sunday the 16th. The wind finally clocks around to a light offshore, and while the swell has dropped to a still-chunky 10ft, it’s a long period groundswell (11 seconds) hitting the beach. That kind of period can make a beach break close out, but the energy is still strong (1366). It’s a big, powerful wave for sure, and only for the crew with the biggest balls and the best boards.

The real standouts, the absolute best of the whole run, happen right at the tail end. The late window is the one to circle.

The Highlight: Bay Front – Sunday, August 23rd, into Monday the 24th.

This is your payoff. The swell energy is moderate but consistent, and the star of the show is the wind. On the afternoon of the 23rd, we’re looking at a light, clean offshore breeze from the ESE, with the swell coming in from the East at 5ft. This is where the conditions finally line up. It’s rare for this spot to be this clean, and while it’s a reef that rarely breaks, when it does, it’s a gem. The energy is moderate (358), and the period is a solid 8 seconds, so it’s a proper wave. Expect a crowd, though – it’s a small, fickle spot and everyone will be onto it.

The run continues into Monday the 24th with a similar clean, glassy setup. The swell bumps up to 6ft from the East, and the wind stays light off the land. This is the long-awaited window. It’s not a huge swell, but it’s clean, rideable, and from the optimal direction for this reef. The energy is still moderate (498), and the conditions are as good as it gets.

After Monday, the onshore slop creeps back in, but it’s still a 5-6ft swell with a clean wind on the 26th, which is worth a look if you missed the main window.

So, the story is: suffer through the first week of wind and rain, wait for the clean-up on the 16th if you’re a big-wave charger, and then bank your PTO for the last weekend of the month. The 23rd and 24th are the real deal. Hang in there.

Rusty.

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