Big Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it. We’ve got a 16-day window, and to be honest, it’s not going to be a ripper. There’s a long quiet spell at the start, so don’t expect much for the first few days.

Okay, so the first real chance to get wet comes on Friday, August 7th at Big Beach. It’s pretty small out there, with waves around 1 ft coming from the SW. The wind is cross-off from the east at 16 mph, which is something, but the swell energy is weak (191) and the surf is just poor. It’s a beginner-friendly spot and very consistent, but there’s nothing here to get excited about. The water is a warm 80°, which is about average for this time of year, so at least you won’t need a thick suit.

The next few days are similar. Saturday, August 8th through to Tuesday, August 11th see a slow increase in swell, but it’s still tiny, in the 1 ft to 3 ft range. The wind stays mostly cross-off, and the energy is still moderate at best (topping out around 362). The waves are clean but very ordinary. You can paddle out for a few knee-high rollers, but don’t expect a proper wave.

Now, here’s where it gets a little interesting. Wednesday, August 12th is the standout. The morning session is the one to aim for. The swell jumps to 3 ft from the south, with a long 18-second period. That’s proper groundswell energy (879) and it’s going to push through with some real shape. The wind is offshore from the ENE at 9 mph – that’s clean, glassy conditions. This is the best the whole window has to offer. The longer period means the sets will be a bit more spaced out, but the waves will be well-formed and have some punch. It’s an intermediate-friendly size, but the quality will be there for anyone who’s keen.

The rest of the first week is a bit of a letdown after that. Thursday, August 13th and Friday, August 14th still have some south swell, but the wind picks up and the energy drops. By Saturday, August 15th, it’s poor, with strong onshore winds and messy conditions.

The second week stays quiet. From Sunday, August 16th through to Saturday, August 22nd, the swell is mostly under 3 ft. There’s a weird spike on Tuesday, August 18th where the morning shows 5 ft from the south, but with a short 6-second period, that’s just wind chop – it’ll be bumpy and weak. The energy is still moderate (349), but it’s not your friend. The wind swings offshore on the 18th afternoon, but the swell drops straight back down. The rest of the time is a mix of poor and ordinary conditions, with very little to recommend.

So, the bottom line: Wednesday, August 12th morning is your only true standout. That’s where you’ll find the cleanest, most powerful waves of the whole stretch. The rest is a long, drawn-out lull. It’s a quiet patch for the area, but it won’t stay this way forever – forecasts can change.

Stay salty,
Rusty.

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