Castles Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

First up, the water temperature at Castles is sitting at 78°F, which is much warmer than usual for this time of year. That’s a nice bonus if you’re heading in.

Right now, and for the next week or so, it’s pretty grim. There’s a long stretch from Tuesday the 18th right through to about Wednesday the 26th of August where the surf is just flat or junk. The swell is tiny, mostly under 3ft, with short, weak periods and the combined energy barely creeping into the double digits – it’s a real struggle. The wind is often cross or onshore, and the wave comment is "poor surf conditions" across the board. It’s a solid blank run, so don’t hold your breath.

Thursday the 27th of August finally shows a bit of life. The swell picks up to a modest 3ft to 4ft from the S, with a period of 7 seconds. The combined energy climbs to 151 (moderate) in the morning and 222 (moderate) in the afternoon. The wind is offshore from the NW in the morning, then cross-offshore from the WSW in the afternoon, making for clean conditions. It’s not pumping, but it’s surfable and the best we’ve seen all week.

Friday the 28th of August holds similar energy – 3ft from the SSE, 8 seconds, with 170 combined energy in the morning. Light cross-offshore winds from the NNE keep it clean. The afternoon gets a bit onshore and messy again.

Then we hit another flat spell through the end of August and into the 30th. The 31st of August throws up a bit more size – 5ft from the ENE, but with a short 6-second period, so the waves will be a bit lumpy. Still, the combined energy is 199 to 239 (moderate), and with gentle offshore or cross-offshore winds, it’s a decent option if you’re keen.

The standout is on Tuesday the 1st of September. That morning, the swell hits 7ft from the E, with a 7-second period and a combined energy of 522 (strong). The wind goes glassy from the NNW – that’s as good as it gets for clean conditions. The afternoon drops to 6ft but still clean with a cross-offshore breeze. This is the best session on offer, but it’s a long way out, so keep an eye on it.

After that, Wednesday the 2nd of September turns messy with strong cross-shore winds and a drop in quality.

Bottom line: you’re looking at a lot of quiet days, then a few windows of surfable waves around the 27th, 28th, and 31st of August, with the real gem on the 1st of September. That’s the one to pencil in.

Rusty.

Read more