Campbells Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s see what’s on the menu for Campbells over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, it’s quiet. The first few days are a bit of a struggle with small, weak swell and average conditions. Sunday the 2nd has a tiny 2ft SSW swell but it’s getting hammered by a fresh 19 mph cross-off breeze, so it’s a write-off. Monday the 3rd stays small and weak, but the afternoon shows a little hint of life with an offshore breeze and very ordinary surf – barely worth a paddle.

Tuesday the 4th is where we start to see a glimmer. The swell is still only 1ft from the SSW, but the wind goes glassy calm in the afternoon. That 16-second period groundswell is there, but it’s weak, with combined energy of just 181 (moderate). The water temp is a warm 81°, and that’s about 1° above normal, so nothing wild – just a nice tropical bath. For a reef break, that long period on a small wave might make for some tricky, fat lines, but if you’re patient, there could be a clean one.

Wednesday the 5th is more of the same: glassy mornings, tiny 1ft to 2ft swell, but with that long period (15-16 seconds) and combined energy in the 130-147 range, it’s just a very gentle, clean knee-high dribble. Not a standout, but a nice morning for a log if you’re desperate.

The real story starts to build later in the run. From Friday the 7th, the swell period jumps to 20-21 seconds – that’s very long period groundswell. The size is still tiny (1ft to 2ft), but the energy jumps to 229-373 (moderate). The wind is a persistent cross-off from the ENE, 16-22 mph, which keeps things choppy and messy. It’s frustrating – the potential is there, but the wind is killing it.

Saturday the 8th through Monday the 10th is more of the same: small, long-period swell, but with fresh to strong cross-off winds. The combined energy builds into the 350-377 range, but the surf quality is poor.

Then things get interesting. From Wednesday the 12th, the swell size starts to lift. By Wednesday afternoon we’re looking at 4ft from the S, with a 17-second period and combined energy of 854 (strong). The wind is still cross-off though, so the quality is only marginal. It’s better, but not the one.

The first true standout comes on Thursday the 13th. The afternoon session sees a 4ft S swell, 15-second period, and the wind finally swings offshore from the ENE at 16 mph. That’s a clean combo. The combined energy is 757 (strong). This is a proper window for a reef break like Campbells. The swell direction (S) is a solid match for the optimum SSW. It’s not huge, but it’s clean, and the offshore wind will make it look a lot better than the size suggests. The crowds are listed as “often” here, so on a good Thursday arvo you can expect company.

The real standout, the one to circle, is Monday the 17th. The swell is from the W at 4ft to 4ft, with a 15-second period, and the wind is light offshore (3-6 mph) with light rain. The combined energy is strong at 697-838. This is the best of the run. The wind is light, the swell is a decent size, and the direction is a good fit for the break. The water will still be warm. This is the one you want to book in for. Be aware that the swell direction is W, which is a bit off the optimum SSW, but with that light offshore wind and the reef setup, it should still produce some nice, clean lines.

The second week is a bit of a mixed bag. Saturday the 16th has a 2ft W swell with a moderate offshore in the afternoon – good, but not a standout. The 17th is the peak.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a grind with small, wind-affected surf. Things improve from the 12th, and the 13th is a solid option. But the clear winner, the one with the best all-round call, is Monday, August 17th at Campbells. It’s not for beginners (4ft to 4ft is fine for intermediates), and the crowds will be there, but for a clean, well-shaped wave, that’s your day.

Stay stoked,
Rusty

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