Bay of Martyrs Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Looks like we’ve got a big run of solid swell heading our way, but it’s going to be a bit of a mixed bag with the wind, so you’ll need to pick your moments.

The first real surf window kicks off Wednesday the 12th of August at Bay of Martyrs, and honestly, it’s a bit of a grunt to start. We’ve got a hefty 13ft swell rolling in from the WSW with a very long 16-second period – that’s proper groundswell energy, bringing a massive 8835 (moderate to strong combined swell energy). But the wind is howling at 30 km/h from the WSW, cross-shore, so it’s going to be lumpy and choppy. The water temp is sitting at 57°, which is about average for this time of year. This is a reef break that’s inconsistent and for advanced surfers only – with waves over 8ft it’s expert territory. Honestly, Thursday the 13th is a step up: 16ft swell from the SW, still a 16-second period, and winds ease to 25 km/h, but it’s still cross-shore. The combined energy hits 12399 (strong) – there’s plenty of water moving, but it’s going to be a messy, challenging paddle.

Friday the 14th keeps it big at 15ft, but the wind turns cross-onshore, and by Saturday the 15th the swell drops to 13ft with a light seabreeze. Sunday the 16th is a write-off as the size drops and the wind gets ugly.

Here’s the standout. Monday the 24th of August is a major highlight. Early morning we get 13ft from the WSW, 11-second period, with a light offshore breeze from the ENE (5 km/h). The combined energy is 4241 (moderate to strong) and it’s described as “clean” – that’s the key. It’s still expert-level size, but it’ll be clean and powerful.

But the true gem is Tuesday the 25th of August. This is the best on offer. We’ve got 15ft swell from the SW with a 14 to 15-second period, and clean offshore winds from the N at 25 km/h all day. The combined energy is massive at 8175 to 8263 (strong), and the forecast is calling it “exceptional for expert surfers.” This is a long-period groundswell hitting the exposed reef at the optimum direction – the wind is offshore, so you’re getting shaped-up, glassy walls. Just know it’s only for experienced crew; beginners should stay well clear.

Before that, there’s a gap of smaller, cleaner days from the 17th to the 21st. Monday the 17th morning has a clean 8ft from the SW with a cross-off breeze, and Tuesday the 18th has clean offshore winds all day with 6ft waves. Thursday the 20th is glassy in the afternoon with 6ft – perfect for a fun, smaller session with no crowds? Well, it’s a reef that can get crowded sometimes, so keep an eye out.

From Saturday the 22nd through Sunday the 23rd, the wind turns onshore and the quality tanks. Then you get that blast of clean, big swell on the 24th and 25th. After that, Wednesday the 26th still has decent 8ft swell with offshore winds, dropping to 6ft by the afternoon. And Thursday the 27th brings another 10ft from the WSW with a 16-second period, but the wind is cross-off at 30 km/h – it’ll be clean but a bit feral.

Overall, the Bay of Martyrs is a heavy, inconsistent reef that only works for the good surfers. The first week is a battle with size and wind, but the 25th of August is the one to circle on the calendar. Don’t sleep on the 24th either.

Rusty.

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