Bruces Beauties Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll be straight with you – this is a rough one. The next 16 days for Bruces Beauties are a real test of patience. We’re looking at a long, dry spell with almost nothing worth paddling out for, and the few moments that show a glimmer of hope come with their own problems.

For the first few days, it’s flat and grim. From Saturday the 22nd right through to Monday the 24th, we’ve got tiny dribbles of swell – like 0.3ft to 0.7ft – and the wind is mostly cross-off or light offshore, but the energy is just not there. The combined energy is in the single digits to low teens (1 to 7), which is basically nothing. The water is a brutal 60°F – that’s 6°F colder than normal for this time of year, so it’s much colder than usual. You’ll be wearing a thick wetsuit and still shivering.

Now, Monday afternoon the 24th finally shows a pulse. The swell jumps to 3ft from the SSW with a long period of 15 seconds and clean offshore wind from the SW. The combined energy hits 313 (moderate). It’s not huge, but with that long period groundswell, it’ll have some shape. The problem? Bruces Beauties is a reef break that’s inconsistent and rarely breaks. This swell direction from the SSW is not its optimum (which is ESE), so it’s not going to be at its best. It’s a marginal option for the patient and experienced surfer.

Tuesday the 25th afternoon is the standout of the whole forecast. We get 5ft from the SSW, a 16-second period, and gentle offshore wind from the WSW. The combined energy is 986 (strong). This is the best combination of size, period, and clean conditions we see. The water is still cold, but the waves will have real power. Again, the direction isn’t perfect for the reef, but if you’re an advanced surfer and you know this break, this is the moment to go. It’s only a 3/10 score internally, but it’s the best on offer.

After that, it turns ugly. From Wednesday the 26th through to Friday the 28th morning, the swell gets big – up to 12ft – but it’s all cross-onshore wind from the east at 19 to 25 mph, creating messy, lumpy conditions. The combined energy goes through the roof (over 4000 at one point), but it’s unsurfable. If you’re into kitesurfing, this setup with that much wind and swell might be your thing, but for paddle surfing, it’s a write-off.

Friday morning the 28th is a tease. The swell drops to 6ft from the east, with almost no wind (slight air) and clean conditions. The energy is 1054 (strong). For experienced surfers, this could be okay, but the wind turns cross-onshore in the afternoon and ruins it.

Then we hit another long gap. From Saturday the 29th all the way to Friday the 4th of September, it’s mostly small, weak swell (1ft to 4ft) with either strong cross-shore winds or just messy conditions. The energy is mostly low (under 200). There’s a brief moment on Wednesday the 2nd of September afternoon with 4ft from the east and light cross-off wind, and the energy is 553 (moderate), but it’s just not enough to get excited about.

Finally, on Saturday the 5th of September morning, we see a big spike again – 10ft from the SSW with a 13-second period and clean cross-off wind. The energy is 2645 (very strong). But it’s a marginal forecast, and with that size, it’s only for experts. The wind then cranks up to a near gale in the afternoon, and it’s gone.

So, the honest truth: the best bet is Tuesday the 25th of August afternoon. That 5ft SSW groundswell with clean offshore wind is your window. If you miss it, you’re waiting until Friday the 28th morning, or maybe Saturday the 5th of September if you’re a masochist. This is a blank run for a spot that’s already inconsistent, so it’s not a total surprise. Forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

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