Cape Paterson Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Cape Paterson over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, I gotta be honest with you – the next week or so is looking pretty ordinary. We’ve got a bit of a wait on our hands. The first real surf comes in on Thursday morning, August 6th, but it’s small and messy. A 2ft SW swell with a 12-second period, but the wind is a cross-shore from the NW at 16 mph, and the water is sitting at 57°. That’s about a degree warmer than usual for this time of year, nothing crazy. The combined energy is weak (301), and the conditions are just poor. Thursday afternoon is much the same.

Friday the 7th sees a bit more size pushing in – 5ft to 6ft from the WSW, with a long 15-second period – but the wind is cross-onshore, making it choppy and messy. The energy jumps up (1163), but it’s still not worth paddling out for. Saturday the 8th is clean but the swell is inconsistent, only 5ft to 4ft, and the wind is cross-offshore. The waves are there, but the quality is marginal.

Sunday morning, August 9th, is the first little glimmer. Offshore wind from the NNE at 16 mph, clean lines, and a 4ft WSW swell. The energy is moderate (728). It’s small, but it could be alright for a quick session if you’re keen. Afternoon turns cross-off and drops off.

Now, from Monday the 10th onwards, things go a bit wild. The swell pumps up to 7ft, then 7ft, and even 12ft by Wednesday the 12th, with a massive 18-second period. The energy numbers are huge – 3866 on Monday, 11336 on Wednesday – but the wind is a total nightmare. Onshore, cross-onshore, and eventually near gale force. This is not paddle surfing. If you’ve got a kite, Cape Paterson might look interesting, but for a surfboard, it’s a hard pass. The water is going to be a washing machine.

Thursday the 13th is the biggest day of the run – a 23ft WSW swell, but it’s a full-on onshore gale. That’s expert-only territory, and even then, it’s blown out. The energy is insane (27269). Stay on the beach for that one.

The surf stays big and messy right through to the weekend of the 15th and 16th. Finally, things start to settle down. Sunday the 16th has a 6ft SW swell, clean conditions with a cross-offshore ESE breeze, and moderate energy (1187). It’s still marginal, but it’s looking better.

Now, here’s the standout. Mark your calendar for Tuesday, August 18th, and Wednesday, August 19th. Tuesday morning gives us a solid 6ft WSW swell, a long 15-second period, light offshore wind from the NNW, and clean conditions. The energy is strong (1225). Wednesday afternoon is the absolute gem: a 6ft WSW swell, all glassy and clean with zero wind. The energy is strong (1549). This is the best on offer. The sets will have some punch, and the long period means proper waves, but it’s a beach and reef setup, so the long period might make it a bit straight at the beach. Still, those are the two windows to go for.

The gap between now and that standout is nearly two weeks, but there are a few small windows in between if you’re really desperate. The forecast is more reliable for the near-term, but the long-range promise on the 18th and 19th is worth keeping an eye on.

Rusty.

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