Dracula Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, crew, Rusty here. Let’s have a good hard look at what’s coming down the pipe for Dracula. This is a solid, exposed reef break that loves a good W swell, and we’ve got a bit of a slow start before things really kick off.

The early part of the week is looking pretty average, to be honest. Monday the 24th is a write-off with a messy, cross-on wind and poor conditions. Tuesday the 25th and Wednesday the 26th aren’t much better – light winds are okay but the cross-shore angle is keeping things choppy and the surf quality is just not there. You could paddle out Tuesday morning with some small, period swell but the tide might mess with you. The first couple of days are a real waiting game.

The first real standout window opens up on Saturday the 29th of August. Saturday morning is the pick of the early run – glassy conditions with a clean 6ft NW groundswell (11-second period) and moderate wave energy (846). That’s a proper, clean reef setup. The swell direction is a slight cross to the optimum W, but the glassy wind and solid size make it the best we’ve seen in days. Saturday afternoon gets a bit lumpy again as the wind swings cross-shore, so hit it early.

Looking ahead, we’ve got another clean window on Tuesday the 1st of September. That morning is glassy again, with a 8ft NNW swell. That’s getting up there, a solid size for this spot. The wave energy is strong (688) and the wind is off the land. The period is a touch short at 8 seconds, so it’s not the most powerful groundswell, but the clean conditions and size will make for a really fun session. The crowds here are sometimes an issue, so expect some company on a morning like this.

The middle of the first week of September keeps the swell consistent but the winds are mostly cross-shore, making it a marginal call. You could snag a wave on Friday the 5th of September morning with a light cross breeze and a 7ft swell, but it’s not the clean, glassy perfection we’re chasing.

Then, hold onto your board. Things get very interesting for the second week. On Monday the 7th of September, we get a very unusual shift. A long-period swell from the WNW comes in. The morning is absolutely glassy and calm, with a 3ft swell but a period of 18 seconds. That’s a serious groundswell. It’s not huge in height, but the energy is still moderate (692) and that long period will wrap into the reef beautifully. This is a rare treat for experienced surfers who know how to read a long-period wave.

The real standout of the entire run is Tuesday the 8th of September. Another very long-period WNW groundswell, 16 seconds, with a 4ft face. That’s a beautiful, clean groundswell. The wave energy is very strong (1093), and the glassy morning wind makes it a dream. This is the one to circle on the calendar. The size is manageable for good surfers, but the period and direction are textbook for Dracula. This is the best on offer.

After that, the swell hangs around but the wind picks up into the afternoon.

Overall, the first few days are a write-off. Don’t bother until Saturday the 29th. The real gold is the two mornings in early September: Tuesday the 1st for a clean, solid swell, and then that incredible WNW groundswell on Monday the 7th and especially Tuesday the 8th. That Tuesday is the one.

Rusty.

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