Conto Springs Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s going on at Conto Springs for the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a wild ride ahead. The first thing you’ll notice is that the set-up is a proper exposed reef, and it’s very consistent, so it’s always got potential. But for the first few days, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. The water is sitting at 68°, which is a solid 4° warmer than it should be for this time of year—that’s really noticeable, and you’ll feel it in just a pair of shorts.

We kick off on Saturday, the 1st of August. The morning is looking alright with a strong 13ft SW swell at 14 seconds, and while the wind is a cross-off from the SSW at 16 mph, it’s keeping things reasonably clean. The afternoon is the real standout for the first week though. The swell jumps to 16ft from the SW, with a very long 16-second period, and the wind drops to a gentle 9 mph from the S, still cross-off. The energy is massive (10901), and the surf is clean. This is a big, powerful groundswell. For a reef like this, that’s a dream setup, but heads up—this is strictly for experienced surfers. At 16ft, it’s too big for beginners, and with that period, the sets will be heavy and walled-up at this spot. The crowds are only ‘sometimes’ an issue, so you might get a few, but it’ll be worth it for the early birds.

Sunday the 2nd sees the swell drop to 10ft, but the wind swings around to a cross from the NNE, which isn’t as clean. The energy is still decent (3605), but it’s a step down. Monday the 3rd gets messy with onshore winds and deteriorating conditions, and by Tuesday the 4th, we’ve got 13ft SW swell but with a strong cross-onshore wind that’s wrecking it. The energy is high (9055), but the surface is just choppy and lumpy. Honestly, it’s not worth paddling out for a surf session—if you’re into kiting, this might look more interesting.

Wednesday the 5th of August morning has a tricky moment. There’s a 16ft SW swell (11856 energy) with a light onshore wind from the WNW. It’s marginal, but if the tide lines up, there could be a window. The afternoon turns to a cross-onshore again, so don’t bank on it.

Now, we hit a long gap. From Thursday the 6th right through to Saturday the 8th, the wind is howling—strong breezes, near gales, and rain. The swell is huge, peaking at 25ft on Saturday afternoon (24613 energy), but the wind is a near gale. The file says the wind and tide are favorable, but the swell is predicted to be too big for this break. That’s a hard pass for anyone but the most insane chargers.

Sunday the 9th of August is the same story—25ft SW swell in the morning, energy hitting an insane 35859, but the wind is cross and cross-onshore. Too big, too messy.

The next real highlight comes on Tuesday the 11th of August. The morning is okay with a 15ft SW swell (9286 energy) and a clean cross-off wind from the S at 16 mph. But the afternoon is exceptional. The swell drops to 13ft, but the period stretches to 17 seconds, and the energy is 12794. The wind is a gentle cross-off breeze from the S. This is clean, powerful, and lined-up. It’s rated for expert surfers, and for good reason. If you can handle that size and that period, this is the best session of the whole forecast.

After that, we settle into a more moderate run. Wednesday the 12th and Thursday the 13th have 10ft to 13ft SW swell with light winds, but it’s marginal. The energy is moderate (around 3805 to 9377). It’s not the standout, but it’s surfable.

Friday the 14th through Saturday the 15th get a bit windy again, and the quality drops. Then, on Sunday the 16th of August, we get a final strong pulse. The morning has an 18ft swell from the WSW at 16 seconds, with a clean cross-off wind from the SSW at 16 mph. The energy is 14566. The afternoon is similar at 15ft with 10891 energy. This is another big, clean day for experienced surfers, though it’s not as pristine as the 11th.

So, the pick of the bunch is the afternoon of Tuesday the 11th of August—that’s the one to circle on the calendar. The afternoon of the 1st of August and the morning of the 16th are also strong, but the 11th is the real standout for quality and power.

Stay safe out there, and remember—this reef doesn’t mess around.

Rusty.

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