Emerald Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, it’s been a pretty quiet start around Emerald Beach. The surf’s been small and messy, with northerly winds messing up any chance of a proper wave. You’re looking at a big gap of several days with nothing worth paddling out for – just tiny, choppy stuff under 3ft with weak energy (down around 82 to 66). Not your Friday.

Then Saturday the 22nd of August rolls in, and there’s a bit of hope. Early morning we get glassy conditions, winds are light from the WNW, and there’s a 3ft swell from the NE with 6-second period. Energy’s still low (92), but that glassy surface? That’s the kind of clean you dream about. It’s small, sure, but if you’ve got a log, you could have a fun little slide to yourself. Saturday afternoon goes glassy and dead flat though, so get it while it’s there.

Sunday the 23rd of August morning sees a clean offshore breeze from the south, holding up that same small 2ft NE swell. It’s nothing special on the face, but the wind makes it look tidy. Energy stays weak (72). Monday the 24th of August morning is another glassy one, with a touch more energy (102) from a 3ft ENE swell at 7 seconds – still small, but clean and workable for a patient surfer.

Tuesday the 25th of August sees the swell bump up to 4ft from the ENE with a better 9-second period and energy climbing to 186, but the wind swings north and cross-onshore, killing the quality. Wednesday the 26th of August isn’t any better – 5ft from the NE but messy. Thursday the 27th of August morning we get a clean offshore again from the SW, with a 3ft ENE swell and 8-second period. Energy’s moderate at 164, and it’s rideable, but still ordinary.

Friday the 28th and Saturday the 29th of August are mostly blown out or too windy, though Saturday afternoon has fresh offshore winds from the SSW holding up a 4ft NE swell at 8 seconds – clean but not exactly pumping. Sunday the 30th of August morning gets windy and clean offshore, but the swell jumps to 5ft with short 7-second period and strong energy (274). That afternoon it cranks up to 8ft from the NE at 7 seconds – energy blasts to 605 – but it’s a short period mess, better for experts only, and there’s rain.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Monday the 31st of August morning has moderate offshore from the SSW, a 5ft NE swell at 7 seconds, and good conditions forecast. Energy’s still strong (275). That’s a real chance for a half-decent session if you handle the shorter period.

But the real standout? Tuesday the 1st of September. Both morning and afternoon are absolute crackers. Morning is glassy, light NE winds, with a 4ft ENE swell at 9 seconds and energy of 270. Afternoon is nearly as good – light southerly offshore, clean, same 4ft at 9 seconds, energy 264. This is the pick of the whole period: clean, well-shaped waves, not too big, good for intermediates. It’s a point break that’s fairly consistent and exposed to the NE, which is close to optimum. Crowds can be a thing here, so get in early.

Wednesday the 2nd of September afternoon also looks promising – a 4ft swell from the east with a long 12-second period (groundswell), energy at 335, and clean cross-offshore conditions. That longer period will really stand up on the point and give nice lines, though it might get a little straight at the beach.

Thursday the 3rd of September morning keeps it clean with a 3ft E swell at 11 seconds, energy 242 – still a nice groundswell for the point. After that, the wind swings back onshore and the rest of the period fades into small, blown-out junk through to the 5th of September.

So for the whole 16-day window, the clear winner is Tuesday the 1st of September – glassy, clean, solid 4ft ENE groundswell, perfect for a point like Emerald Beach. Don’t sleep on the 2nd of September afternoon either – that 12-second pulse from the east will be special.

Rusty.

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