El Estero Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, checking in on the local stretch. We’ve got a pretty solid run of surf on the way, with the best action bookending the forecast. The standout is looking like a real treat for the experienced crew, but there’s plenty of fun to be had in between if you’re patient.

The pattern starts with a clean, workable swell. Tuesday morning (18 August) at El Estero kicks things off with a nice 4ft SW swell, a long 14-second period, and a light offshore breeze from the ENE. The combined energy is a solid moderate 430. The water is sitting at 86°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so it’s a pleasant dip. This is a consistent river mouth, so it should be offering up some fun, clean waves. Expect crowds to be likely, but with a set-up like this, it’s worth sharing.

Wednesday morning (19 August) sees the swell easing a little to 3ft, but the period stretches to 15 seconds, keeping that groundswell quality. A gentle offshore from the E keeps it clean, and the energy is still moderate at 367. Wednesday afternoon turns glassy with a 3 mph SSE wind, making for some stunning, clean conditions on the same 3ft swell.

The swell drops off through Thursday (20 August) and into Friday (21 August), with heights slipping to 1-2ft. The energy drops too, down to 116 on Friday morning. Winds stay favourable for the most part, but the surf is small. There’s a bit of a lull over the weekend, with Saturday morning (22 August) seeing a moderate breeze but a clean 2ft swell, though the energy is weak at 102.

Into the next week, the swell builds back. Sunday morning (23 August) has a 2ft swell but a very long 19-second period, pushing the energy up to 269. A gentle offshore from the ENE keeps it tidy. By Monday morning (24 August), the swell is 2ft with an 18-second period, and while the wind is a moderate offshore, the energy is building to 363. The afternoons are a bit mucky with cross-onshore winds, so mornings are the go.

The real action kicks off on Saturday, 29 August. The morning brings a solid 5ft SW swell, a long 16-second period, and a light offshore breeze from the E. The combined energy absolutely jumps to 1288, which is a strong, powerful swell. This is a big one for the experienced surfers, as it’s over 5ft and pushing into bigger territory. It’s clean, it’s got punch, and it’s consistent. Sunday morning (30 August) follows up with a similar 5ft swell and 1020 energy, with a cross-off wind keeping it clean. These two days are the true standouts of the whole window.

The swell starts to ease from Monday, 31 August, with a 4ft SW swell and a 14-second period, but the energy is still a solid 594. A glassy morning on the 1st of September (Tuesday) with a 3ft swell and a 13-second period rounds out the run nicely.

So, overall, you’ve got small, clean waves to start, a bit of a lull in the middle of next week, and then a cracking weekend of bigger, more powerful surf for the experienced crew. The best of the best is Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th of August at El Estero – get in early if you want a piece of it.

Rusty.

Read more