Downtowns Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, Rusty here with a look at what's shaping up for the next couple of weeks. We've only got the one spot firing on all cylinders, so let's get straight into it.

Overall, we're looking at a solid run of surf with a mix of clean conditions and a few moments where the cross-shore wind might mess with things. The real star of the show is Downtowns, a reef break that's fairly consistent and favours a SW swell. Water temp is sitting at 80°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no need to worry about a chill.

It kicks off with a bang this Saturday afternoon, the 15th of August. We've got a decent 7ft SSW groundswell rolling in with a very long 17-second period, and the wind is glassy from the SE. The combined swell energy is strong at 2758, so there's real grunt behind it. This is quality stuff for experienced surfers, and because it's a reef, that long period should set up some nice lines.

Sunday the 16th is a bit of a mixed bag. The morning has a cross-on breeze making it a bit scrappy, but the afternoon glass-off kicks in with an ESE wind at just 3 mph. That 6ft SSW swell with a 16-second period cleans right up. Monday the 17th through to Tuesday the 18th are both looking super clean with glassy mornings and light S winds. The swell drops a touch to 4-5ft, but the energy is still moderate to strong, and it's all in the right direction. This is that sweet spot for a surfer who wants quality without the absolute biggest size.

Now, the real standout window hits on Wednesday the 19th of August. The afternoon session is the pick of the whole forecast. A solid 8ft SW swell with an 18-second period, combined energy hammering at 4027, and glassy conditions from an E breeze. This is powerful, clean, and lined up. It's a big swell though, over 8ft, so this is experts-only territory. Beware that the morning has a cross-shore wind, so wait for that afternoon glass.

Thursday the 20th keeps the energy high with a 10ft SW swell in the morning, but again, that cross-shore wind makes it a bit tricky. The afternoon cleans up with a glassy ESE breeze and 8ft swell. Friday the 21st and Saturday the 22nd offer more excellent surf, with clean glassy conditions and solid 7ft to 7ft SW swell. Keep an eye out for crowds, as Downtowns can get busy sometimes.

From Sunday the 23rd onward, the swell eases, but it stays fun. You're looking at 5ft to 6ft SSW swell with mostly glassy or clean conditions right through to Monday the 24th. The second week, from the 25th of August, is a bit smaller and more inconsistent, but there are still windows of clean surf. The morning of the 27th has a long 20-second period SSW swell, but with a cross-shore wind. However, that afternoon glass-off on the 27th with a 5ft SW swell and a 19-second period looks like a good, clean session. The 28th also offers a decent, glassy afternoon.

The 29th and 30th look a bit more marginal with cross-shore breezes, though the 30th afternoon cleans up with a 7ft SW swell. All in all, we've got a solid 16 days of waves. The standout is without a doubt Wednesday the 19th of August afternoon at Downtowns. That's the one to circle.

Rusty.

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