Big Ben Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get stuck into this next 16-day window for the local zone. We’ve got some action, but it’s a bit of a slow burn to start, so don’t be in a rush.

Alright, the first real surfable days are a bit of a grind. The swell kicks in, but the wind is a real pain in the arse. We’re looking at a solid 8ft S swell rolling in on Thursday the 6th of August, with a period of 12 seconds, giving us a strong 2408 wave energy. But the rub is a cross-on ESE wind at 9 mph, which is going to make it choppy and messy. The water is 78°, which is a bit colder than usual for this time of year. Honestly, it’s a pass for paddle surfing, but with that much energy and dodgy wind, it might be a better day for the kite crew.

Friday the 7th and Saturday the 8th don’t get much better. The swell drops a touch, but the onshore wind keeps it lumpy. The energy is still moderate, but the quality is just not there. It’s a frustrating wait.

Now, we start to see a glimmer on Sunday the 9th. The wind finally swings around to a light ENE cross-shore at 6 mph, with a 7ft E swell running 13 seconds. The energy is a solid 1733. Things are still a bit raw, but it’s a step in the right direction. The swell is real, but it’s not firing on all cylinders just yet.

The real standout, the one that’s got me excited, is Tuesday the 11th of August. The morning window is the pick of the entire forecast. We’re looking at a clean 10ft ENE swell with a 10-second period, and a fresh cross-offshore NNE wind at 19 mph. The energy is a massive 3512. Now, a word of warning: 10ft is solid and this is a beach/jetty setup, so this is strictly for the experienced crew. Beginners, stay out of the water. The wind is going to hold it open, but it’s a powerful, heavy wave. This is the day to get excited about, but it’s a long way out, so keep your fingers crossed the forecast holds.

The rest of the second week is a bit of a mixed bag. There’s consistent swell, mostly 7ft to 8ft from the east, but the wind is often cross-on or cross-shore, keeping it from being truly clean. Thursday the 13th afternoon has a decent window with light cross-offshore wind and clean conditions, but the swell is a bit smaller. The energy is moderate, and it’s a good option for the experienced guys to get a session in.

After that, the swell drops off through the 18th and 19th, dipping below 5ft, and the energy fades. The wind gets lighter, but the swell just isn’t there to make it worth the paddle. It’s a quiet end to the run.

So, to wrap it up: the first week is a write-off for quality surfing. The absolute standout is the morning of Tuesday the 11th of August – that’s the one to circle on the calendar, but it’s for the experts only. Thursday the 13th afternoon is a solid backup option. Otherwise, it’s a bit of a dry spell. As always, forecasts change, so don’t write it off completely.

Rusty.

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