Conto Springs Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it. We’ve got a proper groundswell episode on the way for Conto Springs – a reef break that’s exposed to the southwest. The water is running at 66°F, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, so you can leave the full wetsuit at home.

The pattern kicks off on Wednesday afternoon the 26th of August. The swell is already pumping at 16ft from the WSW with a very long period of 17 seconds. The combined energy is massive at 14143, so there’s a ton of power in the water. Wind is SSE at 12 mph, cross-off, keeping things clean. This is big, serious surf – over 8ft, so it’s for experts only. That long period will make it wedge up nicely on the reef, but expect some hefty lulls between sets.

Thursday the 27th brings a slight drop. The morning session has 13ft SW swell at 15 seconds, with a brisk 22 mph offshore SSE wind – that’s fresh and clean. Still solid and only for the skilled. The afternoon backs off a bit to 10ft SW, period 14 seconds, with SE offshore wind at 19 mph. The energy is still very strong (6356 and 3827).

Friday the 28th sees the swell ease further. Morning is 7ft SW at 12 seconds, with clean SE offshore wind at 19 mph. This is starting to become more manageable for strong intermediates. The afternoon drops to 5ft SW, which is smaller and weaker, with the same wind.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Saturday the 29th of August is the standout session. The morning is a bit average at 7ft SW, but the afternoon is the pick of the whole forecast. The swell jumps back to 10ft from the SW, but the period stretches to 18 seconds – that’s very long period groundswell. The energy is 5308. And the wind? Light breeze from the east at 6 mph, cross-off, glassy. This is exceptional surf for experts. The long period will make it a bit straight at times, but on a reef like Conto, it’ll be organized and powerful. Crowds are possible here, so get there early.

Sunday the 30th is still solid with 10ft SW, but the wind goes light cross-onshore from the north in the morning, and then onshore from the NW in the afternoon. Not ideal. Monday the 31st is a mixed bag: morning is cross-onshore and choppy with 8ft SW, but the afternoon gets a late kick with 12ft WSW and a strong cross-off SSE wind at 19 mph, which cleans it up nicely.

The first week of September gets messy. From Tuesday the 1st through to Thursday the 3rd, we have a persistent cross-onshore wind from the west and northwest, with swell staying between 8ft and 12ft. The surf is choppy and poor. There’s a gap of a few days here where it’s not worth paddling out.

Then, on Friday the 4th of September, the swell starts to build again. The morning has 13ft WSW at 13 seconds with a light cross-onshore wind from the west. The afternoon pushes up to 15ft SW at 14 seconds, with moderate cross-onshore wind. The combined energy is very strong at 8429. This is another big swell window, but the wind is not perfect. It’s still surfable for experts.

Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th of September continue the trend. Saturday drops to 12-13ft SW, with lighter winds, but still cross. Sunday the 6th has a clean morning with 13ft SW at 14 seconds, but the wind is onshore from the NW. The energy is 9592, so there’s plenty of push, but the wind direction is a letdown.

The second week of the forecast is a letdown. From Monday the 7th to Thursday the 10th of September, it’s mostly cross-onshore or onshore winds, with fresh to near-gale strength. The swell stays around 7ft to 12ft, but the quality is poor, and the last few days are blown out or lumpy. Not worth it.

So, the true standout is Saturday afternoon the 29th of August at Conto Springs. 10ft SW, 18 second period, light east cross-off wind, glassy, and the reef will handle the long period. That’s the one to aim for. Friday the 4th of September is a solid second option for big-wave hunters, but the wind isn’t as clean.

Keep your eyes on the horizon, and don’t sleep on that Saturday session.

Rusty.

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