Big Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Let me get this straight. This is for just one spot, Big Beach. The forecast is a mixed bag really—a lot of small, clean surf but it takes a while for the conditions to finally line up with the swell quality.

For the first few days, from Saturday the 22nd to Monday the 24th, it’s a bit of a write-off. We’ve got these small waves, around 2ft to 2ft from the SSW, but the wind is mostly cross-off or just cross, and on that Monday afternoon there’s even a risk of thunderstorms. The wave energy is weak to moderate at best (around 233 to 264), and the reports are calling it poor surf. Not worth paddling out for.

Then we get a little glimmer of hope on Tuesday the 25th morning. The wind goes offshore from the ENE at a gentle 9 mph, but the swell is still tiny at 2ft. The energy picks up a bit to 290, and the report says "expect good surf conditions." Still, the size is an issue.

The real standout in this whole 16-day window looks to be Thursday the 27th of August. Big Beach is looking its best then. We’ve got a clean 3ft swell from the SSW, with a period of 16 seconds – that’s a long-period groundswell. The energy jumps up strong (957), and with the ENE wind blowing offshore at only 6 mph, it’s light breeze and the surf is described as "very good." This is the one to circle on your calendar, but because the swell is long period, it might be a little tricky and straight at a beach like this; it’ll still be fun though. Later that afternoon the wind picks up, so make the most of the morning.

From the 28th of August through to the 31st, it drops back to small, mostly 2ft to 2ft. There’s some offshore wind here and there, but the energy drops off (down to 68 by the 30th afternoon) and clean surf is still small. It’s more of a longboard or a cruise session, nothing to get too excited about.

Now, here comes the second week. It starts to look promising again. Tuesday the 1st of September has offshores from the NE at 6 mph, with a 2ft swell that’s got some serious period – 19 seconds! The energy is strong (435), so you’ll feel some push. The morning looks clean, but again, that long period on the beach might see it close out a bit.

*Wednesday the 2nd of September* and *Thursday the 3rd of September* mornings are absolute glass-off conditions. On the 2nd, the wind is glassy from the SSE at barely 3 mph, 3ft S swell, and the energy is strong (519). On the 3rd, same glassy vibe, 3ft S swell, strong energy (499). If you like your waves lined up and clean, these mornings are the hidden gems.

After that, it tapers off into smaller stuff (1ft to 2ft) through to the end of the outlook on September 6th. The energy remains moderate to strong, but the size is too small for a proper hit-out, barring a few glassy windows.

So, the best on offer? Thursday the 27th of August morning is your standout for the biggest swell and the most energy, followed by those glassy September 2nd and 3rd mornings for the silkiest conditions. The water temp is about average for the time of year at 81°.

- Rusty

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