Conto Springs Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid 16-day window ahead, and while there’s a bit of a slow start, things are looking up for a proper session later on. Let’s get into it.

We’re kicking off at Conto Springs, a reef break that’s very consistent and exposed to the swell. The water temperature is sitting at 66°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – nothing extreme, just a pleasant surprise.

The first few days are a bit of a write-off, I’m not gonna lie. Sunday the 30th of August has a solid 10ft SW swell, but it’s blown out by a strong NW wind. You’ll be fighting the onshore all day. Monday the 31st of August and Tuesday the 1st of September are similar stories – plenty of size (8ft to 10ft), but the wind is either onshore or cross-onshore, making it choppy and messy. Not worth your time.

Wednesday the 2nd of September shows a little promise in the afternoon. The swell is still a chunky 10ft from the SW, and the wind swings to a gentle cross-shore. The combined energy is moderate, but it’s a short period swell at 13 seconds, so it’ll be a bit walled up. Could be a few fun ones if you’re desperate.

Then we hit a proper dirty patch. Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th of September morning are just plain ugly – strong winds and lumpy, poor surf. But hold on, because Friday afternoon, the 4th of September, is the standout. The swell jumps to 16ft from the SW with a 16-second period, and the combined energy is massive. The wind is a gentle cross-offshore breeze from the SSW, making it clean. This is exceptional surf, but it’s only for experienced surfers – 16ft is big, gnarly stuff. The reef will hold it, and the crowds might be around, but for the crew that can handle it, this is the best wave of the whole forecast.

After that, things get wild. Sunday the 6th of September afternoon has a massive 16ft SW swell with a 19-second period, and the combined energy is huge. The wind is clean, but the file says it’s too big for the break. This is kite-surfing territory. Monday the 7th of September afternoon is also a monster, with a 12ft SW swell but a super-long 21-second period, again with massive energy. The wind is a gentle cross-onshore, but the size and period make it only for the brave.

The second week loses the magic. From Tuesday the 8th of September onwards, the swell is still big (10ft to 16ft), but the wind is almost always onshore or cross-onshore, with moderate to fresh breezes. The surf is consistently poor, with only a few marginal moments. The best of the second week is perhaps Monday the 14th of September morning, with a cleaner 8ft WSW swell and a cross-offshore wind, but the energy is only moderate. It’s small and clean, but nothing to write home about.

So, in short: the first week is a bust until that Friday afternoon, the 4th of September. That’s your one true standout. The rest is either too big, too windy, or just plain messy. Keep your eyes on the charts, because the long-range stuff is more promising than certain, but for now, mark your calendar for that Friday.

Rusty.

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