Drakes Estero Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s shaping up for Drakes Estero over the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a slow starter, but there’s a glimmer of hope further out.

Right now, the first few days are pretty flat. From Wednesday the 5th through to Saturday morning the 8th, we’re looking at tiny waves around 1 ft to 2 ft from the SW. The winds are a bit messy, mostly cross-onshore or cross, and the water temp is about average for this time of year. It’s really just not worth paddling out for. You’ll be bobbing around more than surfing.

The real action starts to pick up on Sunday the 9th. The swell jumps to a solid 5 ft to 6 ft from the WNW with a period of 10 seconds. The combined swell energy is moderate (691 to 768). The winds are cross-offshore from the NW, which is a huge plus and will keep things clean. This is a bit of a chunky, short-period swell, so it'll be a bit punchy, but the conditions will be good. It’s not too big for the average surfer, but beginners might find it a bit much.

Monday the 10th sees similar sized swell, 5 ft to 6 ft from the WNW, but the morning looks glassy with a light breeze before the wind picks up a bit in the afternoon.

The standout moment, the one that gets the heart pumping, looks like the morning of Tuesday the 18th of August. We’ve got a solid 5 ft swell from the NW, but the period is a short 8 seconds. Combined swell energy is strong (775). The winds are light and cross-offshore from the WNW, which will leave the surface clean. The swell is a bit dumpy and short-period, so it’s more for the experienced crew who can handle a steep, fast wave. It won’t be a long, drawn-out groundswell, but the power and the clean conditions will make for some fun, punchy walls.

The afternoon of the 15th of August is also worth a mention. The swell drops to 3 ft from the SW, but with a long 16-second period, and very light offshore winds. The combined energy is moderate (569). This is a beautiful, clean, long-period groundswell, perfect for the longboard or a fish. The sets will be few and far between, but the waves that come through will be lined up and smooth. It’s a proper glassy session in the making.

After that, conditions remain surfable but nothing special, with a few small windows of clean surf right through to the 20th.

So, if you’re looking for a day to circle, the 18th of August is the one for the powerful, short-period punch, and the 15th of August afternoon is the one for the clean, long-period glide.

Rusty out.

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