Eastbourne Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab a coffee and listen up. It’s Rusty. For the next 16 days, we’re looking at a pretty tough stretch at Eastbourne, the only break in the picture. There’s a clear gap right now with no good surf on offer. The first real standout doesn't show up until Monday the 24th of August, and even then it’s a one-hit wonder before things turn grim again. Then there’s a potential late-saver near the end of the month. Let’s break it down.

We start with a long dry spell. From now until Sunday the 23rd, the wind is howling – strong breeze to near gale, cross-off but way too much power. Swell is tiny, mostly 1 ft to 3 ft, with weak energy. The combined energy is only 39 to 199 (moderate on the low end). Water temperature is sitting at 52°, which is about 1° cooler than usual for this time of year – nothing shocking, just a touch on the chilly side.

Then, on Monday the 24th of August morning, we get a spike. A solid 8 ft groundswell from the SSW, with a long 13-second period, pushing the combined energy up to 2130 (strong). That’s real energy. But here’s the catch – Eastbourne is a reef and point setup, sheltered, and optimum swell is from the S. This SSW swell will wrap in okay. The wind is light NNE at 9 mph, cross-off, which should keep the surface pretty clean. This is the one bright spot in the whole outlook: it's a session for experienced surfers only at that size. Beginners, stay on the sand. Crowds are “sometimes” an issue here, so you might get a bit of company.

After that Monday, it drops off fast. Tuesday the 25th through to Saturday the 29th sees the swell fade to between 1 ft and 5 ft, with wind staying fresh to strong from the NNW. Mostly cross-off, but the energy drops from 435 down to 67 (weak). The surf is there, but it’s ordinary.

Now, Monday the 31st of August morning brings another pulse: 6 ft from the SSW with a very long 15-second period, combined energy 1280 (strong). But the wind swings SSE, cross-on, and it’s choppy. That afternoon the wind turns light SSW onshore, and the swell pushes to 7 ft, but the period drops to 13 seconds. The conditions are marginal, with questionable tides. It’s a kite surfer’s setup more than a paddle day – strong wind, choppy, and beach/reef combo.

After that, Tuesday the 1st of September through to Sunday the 6th of September is mostly a write-off. The swell hangs around 1 ft to 5 ft, but the wind is either strong and cross-off or cross-on from the SSE. On Wednesday the 2nd of September morning, there’s a 5 ft, 19-second groundswell! That is a very long period – it’ll be super clean and straight at a beach break, so Eastbourne’s reef and point might actually make it work. But the wind is light SSE cross-on, so expect some chop. The energy is 1670 (strong), but the rating says poor conditions. By Thursday the 3rd, the period drops to 7 seconds, and it’s all over.

The standout is Monday the 24th of August. That’s your window. Big swell, clean, cross-off wind, real energy. Everything else is a battle with wind or weak swell. If you’re desperate, the 31st of August has size, but it’s messy.

Rusty.

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