Big Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a 16-day window for Big Beach, but I gotta be straight with you – don’t get your hopes up too high. This isn’t a week for heroics. The swell hangs around the 2 ft to 3 ft mark most of the time, with some decent long-period groundswell in the mix, but it’s not gonna set the world on fire. The water’s sitting at a warm 81°F, pretty much bang on average for this time of year.

The whole run looks pretty ordinary for a while. From Friday the 21st right through to Tuesday the 25th, it’s mostly cross-off or offshore winds, which is nice for clean faces, but the waves are small – 2 ft to 2 ft – and the energy is weak to moderate (174 to 296 in the combined energy). It’s surfable, but you’ll be fighting for tiny shoulders. There’s a couple of marginal tides in there, so it’s not gonna light your fire.

Now, things start to perk up a little on Wednesday the 26th. The swell picks up to 2 ft from the SSW, with a period of 14 to 17 seconds, which is proper groundswell. The combined energy jumps to moderate 454 to 551, and with gentle to moderate offshore winds from the NE and ENE, the surface will be clean. It’s still small, but for the patient surfer, there’ll be some fun peelers. Thursday the 27th morning is the real standout of this forecast. You’ve got 3 ft of SSW groundswell with a 16-second period, and the combined energy hits 836 – that’s moderate to strong. The wind is a gentle offshore from the ENE, so expect glassy, clean conditions. This is the best on offer, hands down. After that, it drops back to ordinary 2 ft to 2 ft stuff through to the end of the month.

Then, we get into September, and there’s a bit of a tease. On Tuesday the 1st of September, the swell hangs around 3 ft from the S and SSW, with a long 18-second period, and the combined energy is strong at 533. But the wind is a fresh 19 mph offshore from the NE – that’s a strong breeze. It’ll be clean, but it’s gonna be bumpy for paddling, and with that long period, it might break a bit straight on the beach. It’s more for the experienced crew. Wednesday the 2nd of September is a better bet: 3 ft SSW groundswell, 15 to 16-second period, and gentle cross-off winds. The energy is moderate (347 to 392), and the surface will be clean. It’s small, but consistent. After that, it fades to more ordinary 1 ft to 2 ft dribble through to the end of the window.

Look, if you’re after the best window, Thursday the 27th of August morning is the pick. For bigger, more challenging conditions, Tuesday the 1st of September has the energy but needs a surfer who can handle a breeze. There’s a big gap of ordinary surf between these two highlights, so don’t expect a constant run of good ones.

Stay salty,
Rusty

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