Dracula Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. The swell window is open at Dracula, and we’ve got a run of solid, clean conditions to kick things off this weekend. This is a powerful, exposed reef break that handles west swell perfectly, and it’s no secret why it’s a standout.

Friday morning, the 28th of August, is the real deal. It’s glassy calm, with a clean 6ft groundswell from the NNW at a 7-second period. The combined energy is moderate at 353, and the water temp is sitting at 71°, which is about normal for this time of year. Expect good surf conditions – this is the pick of the forecast. Dracula is a very consistent, advanced reef break, so you’ll need to be on your game, and crowds are possible.

The afternoon on Friday gets messy. The wind swings NNW at 16 mph, turning it cross-shore and lumpy, with the swell jumping to 8ft (1005 combined energy). That’s getting into expert territory and the quality drops off. Saturday morning, the 29th, cleans up again. Glassy conditions with a 7ft swell from the NNW, now with a 10-second period (955 combined energy). That’s very good surf – long period, clean, and powerful. The afternoon sees the wind pick up again, bumping the surface.

Sunday the 30th is a write-off with cross-onshore winds and a short period swell. Monday morning, the 31st, offers a reprieve: some clouds, light wind, and a glassy 6ft NNW swell (388 combined energy). Good surf, but not as big as the weekend. Tuesday morning, the 1st of September, is similar – glassy with a 7ft swell (499 combined energy). The afternoon, however, gets hammered by a 19 mph cross-shore wind, making it poor.

The middle of the week is a bit of a mixed bag. Wednesday and Thursday mornings have some clean-ish windows, but the afternoon winds are brutal. The size stays around 6ft to 8ft, but the onshore chop ruins it.

Then we hit a gap. From Friday the 4th of September through the weekend and into the following week, the swell drops off significantly. We’re looking at small, weak waves – mostly under 3ft – with poor conditions and light, variable winds. There’s a long period swell on the 5th (1ft at 16 seconds, 120 combined energy), but it’s weak and onshore. Not worth paddling out for.

The next real hope comes on Thursday morning, the 10th of September. Glassy conditions, a clean 4ft NNW swell at 9 seconds (278 combined energy). That’s good surf, but it’s a one-off morning window. Friday the 11th of September morning is even better: dead calm, 5ft swell at 9 seconds (467 combined energy). That’s a promising, long-range call – less certain but worth circling on the calendar. Saturday morning the 12th is also glassy with a 5ft swell (480 combined energy).

So, the standout is Friday morning, the 28th of August. The backup is Saturday morning, the 29th. The long-range potential is Friday morning, the 11th of September. Expect a solid week of waves, then a lull, then a return of clean conditions in the second week.

Rusty.

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