Big Wave Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards.

To be straight up with you, Big Wave Bay is looking like a flat spell for the foreseeable future. There's no real surf to get excited about in this 16-day run. We're looking at a long gap with pretty much nothing on offer. The first recommendation isn't coming until late in the period, so you're looking at over a week of small, weak, and messy conditions before anything even registers.

The problem is the swell just isn't there. For days on end we're seeing tiny waves, mostly from the east, with periods all over the place but very little energy. The combined energy values are mostly in the single digits or low tens – that's weak stuff. The winds are a real problem too, often cross-shore or cross-onshore, and sometimes blowing a near gale. The water temp anomaly is average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Now, the only time it looks like it might get a pulse is around Monday the 31st of August. The swell jumps up, but it's a short-period easterly windswell. The combined energy hits 620, which is a lot of raw power, but the wind is a fresh cross-shore from the northeast at 22 mph. It's going to be lumpy and difficult. For the more experienced surfers, it might offer some hefty, choppy waves, but it's a far cry from clean. The next day is similar, with strong cross-shore winds and messy conditions.

Honestly, this setup looks more like it's for the kite crowd than anyone paddling. The winds are strong and the surf is poor quality.

There's a very small window on the morning of Friday the 28th of August where the wind goes light offshore from the northwest, then even goes glassy in the afternoon. The swell is only 0.3 ft though, so you'd be bobbing around more than riding.

So the standout? There isn't one. Not really. The only day with any significant size is the 31st of August, but with those cross-shore winds and short-period swell, it's going to be a battle. It's the best of a bad lot, but it's not good.

Keep an eye on it, because things can change. But as it stands, it's a flat, windy outlook.

- Rusty

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