Big Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Look, I’ll level with you – Big Beach is not offering much over the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a long, drawn-out run of small, uninspiring surf, and it’s going to feel like a bit of a flat spell for the most part. The first solid recommendation doesn’t even pop up until Sunday the 16th, and even then it’s not a day to get too excited about.

Let’s start with that Sunday morning, August 16th. We’ve got a 6ft south swell rolling in, but the period is only 8 seconds – that’s short-period, wind-slop stuff, not the kind of wave that’ll wrap in cleanly. The cross-off wind from the ESE at 12 mph is keeping the surface tidy, but the wave energy is moderate at 772. It’s clean, sure, but the quality is marginal. By the afternoon, the swell drops right away to 2ft, even though a long-period 16-second south swell tries to push through. The energy drops to 485 and it’s really just a tease.

Monday the 17th looks a bit better in the morning. That south swell holds at 3ft with a 14-second period and the wind goes offshore from the ENE at 12 mph. That’s clean, and the energy is moderate at 393. It’s rideable, but nothing to call your mates about. The afternoon mixes things up with cross-off wind and the waves drop again.

From Tuesday the 18th right through until Saturday the 22nd, we’re stuck in a rut. Swell heights hover around 2ft to 2ft, mostly from the south or SSW. The energy is weak through this whole stretch, with readings like 206, 136, 223 – all two-digit or low three-digit numbers. There’s a brief moment on Thursday the 20th morning when the wind goes glassy and the swell is a 2ft SSW groundswell with a 18-second period, but the energy is still only 231. It’s a pretty picture but not much push. The water temp is sitting at 80° with a 0.5° anomaly, so pretty average for this time of year – it’s not a talking point.

Now, Saturday the 22nd morning offers a flicker of hope. The swell is 2ft from the SSW, period of 15 seconds, and the wind is light cross-off. Energy climbs a touch to 289 – still moderate – and the forecast calls for good conditions. But it’s still tiny.

The standout window – and I mean the only one worth circling on the calendar – lands on Thursday, August 27th. That morning we’ve got a 3ft SSW swell with a 16-second period, offshore wind from the NE at 12 mph, and combined energy pushing into 428. That’s a moderate energy reading, but it’s the biggest number we’ve seen in a while. The offshore wind will clean it up nicely. The swell direction aligns with the optimum from the guidance, and the break is fairly exposed to the south. It’s a beginner-friendly spot anyway, and at 3ft it’s well within that zone – not too big at all. The crowds come sometimes, so you might have company, but the water will be glassy and inviting. Later that afternoon, the swell drops back to 2ft but the wind stays offshore – still a decent session if you can sneak away.

Wednesday the 26th morning offers a bigger number on the energy scale – 455 – with a 2ft south swell and a very long 18-second period. That’s a groundswell, perfect for this fairly exposed beach, but the period is so long it might break a bit straight on a beach break. Still, with offshore wind in the afternoon, it could be worth a look for the patient surfer.

Beyond that, the final days of August and into the 31st stay small. The 31st Monday morning brings a 2ft SW swell with 16-second period, gentle offshore breeze, and moderate energy at 281. It’s clean but tiny. For an area like this, a blank run isn’t unusual – the consistency isn’t there. If you’re into kiting, the stronger cross-off winds later in the period might be more interesting than the waves themselves.

So, the standout: Thursday morning, August 27th at Big Beach. Get on it. As for the rest, keep the board on the roof just in case, but don’t hold your breath.

Rusty.

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