Cape Paterson Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.

Look, I’m not gonna sugarcoat it for the next couple of weeks. The surf is a bit of a mixed bag, and you’re gonna have to pick your moments. The first few days are a write-off, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

The first real chance to get wet comes on the 12th, but honestly, steer clear. We’ve got a 5ft SW swell at Cape Paterson, but it’s getting hammered by a 19 mph cross-on wind. The water’s 57°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, but you won’t feel it through that chop. The energy is strong (2377), but it’s all for nothing with that wind. The next few days are the same story – building swell to 10ft on the 13th and 14th, but those onshore winds just wreck it. This is strictly for the kites out there, not a paddle surfer’s dream.

We start to see a glimmer of hope on Sunday the 16th. The swell drops to a cleaner 5ft from the SW (14-second period), and the wind swings cross-offshore from the ENE. It’s still a bit marginal, but the energy is a more manageable 1079. Now, the real standout window is shaping up for Monday the 17th through Tuesday the 18th. Monday morning is looking clean with a 5ft SW swell, 14-second period, and light easterly cross-off winds. The energy is moderate (822). Then Tuesday the 18th is the pick of the early run. Cape Paterson will see a 5ft WSW swell, light offshore winds from the NE, and glassy conditions. The energy is 958. For a beach and reef setup, that’s about as good as it gets for this stretch. Keep in mind, Cape Paterson is a known spot for the locals, so it can get a bit of a crowd on a good day, but it’s worth it.

After that, we hit a flat spell. From the 19th, the swell drops to under 3ft and stays weak until the 22nd. There’s a little pulse on the 22nd with a 3ft WSW swell, but the wind is messy. Then, from the 23rd, we get a massive pulse of energy – 13ft+ from the WSW – but it’s accompanied by 19-22 mph onshore winds. That’s a washing machine, not a surf break. The combined energy readings are huge (6356 to 8744), but it’s brutal.

Now, here’s the long-range promise. Looking way out to Wednesday the 26th of August, the stars might align. The swell is still a solid 12ft from the SW (15-second period), but the wind is forecast to be light offshore from the ENE. That’s a serious setup for experienced surfers only. The energy is massive (4723). This is the one to circle on the calendar. It’s a long way off, so don’t book the week off yet, but keep an eye on it. The 27th is also worth a mention, with a cleaner 6ft SW swell and light offshore winds.

So, to sum it up: the best on offer is Tuesday the 18th for a clean, sizeable wave, and the long-range standout is Wednesday the 26th of August, if the winds hold. It’s not a classic run, but there are waves to be had.

Rusty.

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