Deadman's Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, mates, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it.

We’ve got a tricky stretch ahead. The next week or so is looking pretty slim, with only small, short-period swell and a lot of cross-shore wind messing things up. But don’t write it off entirely – there’s a definite pulse of energy waiting for us in the back half of the window, and it looks like it means business. The early days are about patience, not perfection.

The First Few Days (August 15-17)

Saturday afternoon kicks things off with some small but clean surf. We’re looking at 3ft SSW groundswell with a long 16-second period, and the wind is dead glassy. It’s inconsistent, and it’s a reef break, so you need to pick your moments. The water’s sitting at 56°F, which is about normal for this time of year. Combined swell energy is weak at 564. It’s not big, but it’s clean and has some push to it. The swell direction is SSW, which is good for this spot.

Sunday morning sees similar size, 4ft, but a bit of cross-on wind has crept in, making it a bit less tempting. The afternoon, though, glass is back and we’re still on that SSW swell, a solid 3ft with a 16-second interval. This is a decent window too, but the morning is the better bet for clean conditions.

The Middle Lull (August 18-25)

Monday drops down to 3ft, with clean glass in the morning, but the afternoon gets a bit crossed up. From Tuesday through the following Monday, we're in a groove of small surf, mostly 2ft to 3ft, and the wind is mostly cross-shore, which is going to put a bit of chop on the face. Not great, but not terrible either. Thursday the 21st drops to 1ft, so it’s really small. This is a period for the longboard or just watching the horizon. There’s a bit of a gap in any real quality during this stretch.

The Real Deal Arrives (August 26-30)

Okay, this is where things get interesting. The surf picks up significantly towards the end of the month, but it changes character completely.

On Wednesday the 26th, we see a new swell filling in, but it’s from the NW with a short, 8-second period. It’s pushing 6ft to 7ft, which is closing out the beach breaks. The energy is moderate to strong (926 on the 26th morning), but that short period means it’s going to be a bit walled and unruly. Not a beginner wave at all.

Thursday the 27th is the standout. The swell builds to 8ft, the period bumps up to 9 seconds, and we get a cross-offshore wind that’s cleaning it all up. The combined energy jumps to a strong 1055. This is big, powerful surf – not for the faint of heart. This is expert territory, for sure.

Friday the 28th keeps the energy going, with 7ft to 8ft NW swell and clean conditions in the morning. The energy is strong, over 1100, making it a very powerful day. The afternoon wind picks up, but it’s still cross-off. This will be a full-on session for experienced surfers only.

Saturday the 29th has a bit of a mixed bag. The morning is still on the big NW swell (6ft) but cross-shore winds will make it lumpy. The afternoon, however, brings another pulse of SSW swell at 3ft with a long 18-second period, and the wind swings to a clean cross-off. It’s a different wave, but it looks excellent – classic, lined-up reef waves. This is another one to circle on the calendar.

Sunday the 30th sees the big NW swell return in the afternoon, pushing 7ft with a 9-second period. The energy is very strong at 1572, which suggests a lot of water moving. But the wind is cross-shore, so it could get messy. The morning has smaller 3ft SSW swell, but it’s also crossed up. Not as clean as Saturday.

The Takeaway

If you’re looking for a wave this week, the glassy periods on the 15th and 16th are your best bet for something clean and manageable. But the real standouts are Thursday the 27th and Friday the 28th – that big NW groundswell with clean offshore winds is going to be something special for those who can handle it. Saturday the 29th afternoon also looks like a ripper with that longer-period SSW swell. It’s a two-week wait for the big stuff, but it looks like it’ll be worth it. This is a spot that breaks inconsistently, so when it’s on, you’ve got to be there. Stay safe out there.

Rusty.

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