Ditch Plains Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about the surf in this neck of the woods. It’s a bit of a tough stretch, so I’ll call it straight.

Right off the bat, things are looking pretty flat and ordinary for Ditch Plains. The first recommendation doesn’t come up until Sunday, August 9th, and even then it’s a modest start. The pattern over the next week or so is dominated by weak, short-period swell from the south, mostly under 3ft. The real issue is that combined energy stays low, rarely cracking three digits – most days it’s a paltry 20 to 80, which means limp, gutless waves. You’ll be scratching for anything with push.

Sunday morning, August 9th, is your first real window. We’ve got a clean 3ft S swell with a 6-second period, and a gentle offshore to cross-off breeze from the west. The water is sitting at 72°, which is about normal for this time of year. It’s surfable, but very ordinary – the kind of day you’d take a log out and just enjoy being in the water. Crowds are often here, so expect company.

The following week is a real grind. From Monday, August 10th, through to Friday, August 21st, the overwhelming story is poor surf conditions. You’ll see glimpses of clean, glassy mornings (like Monday, August 12th morning, with a light NNW breeze and glassy 2ft S swell), but the swell is just too weak to make it worth the paddle. The energy is in the teens and twenties. There’s a long period swell arriving on Monday, August 17th, with a 15-second period from the SSE, but the swell height is a pathetic 0.7ft. That’s all period and no power. By Tuesday, August 18th, the wind picks up strong out of the SSW, and the wave state turns lumpy and messy.

The first truly notable change comes on Friday, August 21st. The combined energy finally jumps into the 300s (306 on Friday morning, 323 on Friday afternoon). We’re looking at a 3ft to 4ft SSE swell with a 12-second period – that’s a proper groundswell, with some real energy behind it. But here’s the heartbreaker: the wind is cross-onshore from the SSE and SSW at 12–16 mph, making it choppy. The break is exposed to that direction, so it’s going to be a messy, lumpy affair. Not clean, not fun.

Saturday, August 22nd morning, holds a little more hope. The swell drops slightly to 3ft from the SSE, period 11 seconds, energy still strong at 289. The wind eases to a light cross-onshore from the SSW at 6 mph, leaving just small wind ripples. It’s still marginal, but it’s your best chance for a surf if you’re desperate.

Sunday, August 23rd, brings a wild card: a strong offshore wind from the NW at 25 mph, dropping to 22 mph in the afternoon. The swell is small, 2ft to 3ft from the ESE. The water will look clean, but that wind is so strong it’s going to be a battle to get out and hold your position. The energy is moderate (157, then 127), but for a beach-and-reef setup, that wind strength makes it a chore.

The one standout: Honestly, I’m struggling to give you a true standout. If I have to pick, it’s Saturday, August 22nd morning at Ditch Plains. It’s the closest thing we get to a real swell event – 3ft SSE groundswell with an 11-second period, combined energy of 289, and only a light cross-onshore breeze. It’s not perfect, but it’s the most powerful, cleanest option in this 16-day window. Expect a few rippable walls if you’re patient.

The rest of the run is a slog. Be patient, and keep an eye on the forecasts – things can change.

Rusty

Read more