Conto Springs Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty, and I’ve got the outlook for the next couple of weeks here at Conto Springs. This is a reef break that’s very consistent and exposed to the swell, an intermediate spot that can really turn it on, but you’ve gotta pick your windows. The water’s sitting at 67°F right now, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year—that’s a real treat.

The week kicks off on Friday morning, August 21 with a pulse of groundswell. We’ve got a solid 12 ft SW swell, period around 15 seconds, meaning it’s a long-period groundswell with plenty of grunt. The wind is glassy—absolutely dead calm—so these waves will be pure and clean. The combined energy is pumping at 5267 (moderate), but this is expert territory: at over 8 ft, it’s too big for beginners. For those with the skills, it’s exceptional. Friday afternoon holds that same 12 ft SW swell with a light cross-offshore breeze, so still clean. Stick with the early if you can.

Come Saturday, August 22, the swell drops to 10 ft in the morning and then 8 ft in the afternoon, still SW. The wind turns to a moderate cross-offshore, but the reports say conditions are marginal—questionable tides or something not quite clicking. By Sunday, August 23, it’s similar: 8 ft to 7 ft, still long-period, but the wind is moderate cross-offshore. It’s rideable but not firing.

Monday, August 24 is where things go pear-shaped. Onshore winds hit in the morning, and by the afternoon it’s a full onshore mess. Combined energy is still decent at 1978 (moderate), but the quality is poor. Tuesday, August 25 is worse—fresh onshore winds up to 22 mph and light rain, the swell bumps up again but it’s a no-go.

Now, here’s the standout. Wednesday, August 26 morning is a proper eye-opener. A massive 16 ft SW groundswell, period 17 seconds, and the combined energy roars to 15969 (strong). The wind is a light cross-shore—only 6 mph from the southwest—so there’s just small ripples, not enough to chop it up. The report says wind and tide are favourable, but this swell is too big for the break. That means only the absolute best, most experienced surfers should even look at it. The power is immense. The afternoon sees that fresh breeze come up to 19 mph and a lumpy cross-chop, so the morning window is the one.

Thursday, August 27 eases to a 13 ft SW swell, moderate cross-shore and cross-chop in the morning, but the afternoon cleans up with a cross-offshore breeze. Still big, still serious.

We get a reprieve Friday, August 28. The swell drops to 8 ft to 7 ft SW, period 12 seconds, and the wind turns offshore from the southeast at 12 mph. That’s a moderate offshore breeze—clean lines, a bit of texture, but good shape. Combined energy sits around 1500 to 1176 (moderate). This is excellent for experienced surfers, not as hectic as the big days.

Saturday, August 29 morning is a gem. The swell is 5 ft SW, period 13 seconds, with the lightest of breezes—almost calm. Combined energy at 1728 (moderate). It’s clean, small, and the best bet for the intermediate surfer. The afternoon gets a light cross-onshore, so morning wins.

Then the long-range outlook turns messy again. From Sunday, August 30 through to the end of the forecast, we get consistent onshore and cross-onshore winds, sometimes strong. The swell stays big—between 8 ft and 21 ft—but the wind is mostly poor. There’s a slight glimmer on September 5 with a 16 ft to 21 ft WSW swell and 14-second period, but the wind is fresh cross-shore and lumpy. The energy is huge (15561), but it’s too big and messy. This setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

Bottom line: Friday morning August 21 and Wednesday morning August 26 are the standouts. The 21st is glassy and clean for experts, the 26th is a massive groundswell with light wind—only for the brave. For intermediates, Saturday morning August 29 is your window, with clean small waves. The rest of the period is either too windy, too big, or both.

Rusty.

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