Emerald Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty, and here’s how the next couple of weeks are shaping up at Emerald Beach.

Right now, we’re in a bit of a flat spell. The first decent wave you’ll see is Tuesday the 11th of August, but even then it’s small—around 2ft from the ENE with a period of 9 seconds. The energy is moderate at 134, but the wind is cross-off and light, so it’s clean enough for a longboard if you’re desperate. The water temp here is about average for this time of year.

Wednesday morning the 12th of August turns glassy with the wind dropping to zero, and you’ve got clean 2ft ENE waves (energy 107). It’s small, but glassy conditions are a major positive for smoothing things out. Afternoon gets a bit lumpy with a cross-on NE breeze though.

Thursday the 13th sees a light offshore in the morning from the south, with 2ft ENE swell (energy 65). It’s clean but tiny. Friday and Saturday the 14th and 15th stay small with offshore winds, but wave heights drop to 1ft, and the energy sinks into the 30s – honestly, barely a ripple.

There’s a big gap of nothing exciting until Monday the 17th of August. That morning, a new swell pushes in at 5ft from the ESE (7-second period, energy 209). It’s still a bit raw, but by afternoon it jumps to 8ft from the SE (8 seconds, energy 813). That’s a strong pulse of energy. The wind is cross-off, keeping things fairly clean, but 8ft is expert territory – beginners should sit this one out.

The standout window is Tuesday the 18th and Wednesday the 19th of August. On Tuesday the 18th, you’ve got 8ft SE swell with a period of 8 to 9 seconds, and energy hits 1028 in the afternoon. That’s very strong energy. Wednesday the 19th holds 7ft from the ESE (8 seconds, energy 519) in the morning, but the wind is cross-off. The swell direction here is ENE and east – close to the optimum NE direction for the point. These conditions will produce punchy, clean waves at the point, but that 8-second period means shorter, steeper sets. The spot is fairly consistent, though crowds are often around, so get in early.

Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st of August are also solid – 5ft from the east (8-9 seconds) with a light offshore breeze Thursday and light cross-off Friday. Energy is in the 300s, and conditions are clean. This is a really nice run for an intermediate surfer.

Past that, Saturday the 22nd holds 5ft east swell, but the wind turns cross-off again. Sunday the 23rd sees the wind shift cross-on and onshore, killing the quality. Monday the 24th afternoon offers a brief clean-up with 4ft from the east (10 seconds, energy 233) and a cross-off breeze, but it’s not a highlight.

Tuesday the 25th of August drops back to 3ft ENE with a gentle offshore in the morning – small clean waves. Wednesday the 26th of August morning looks promising though: 4ft from the ENE (9 seconds, energy 238) and glassy conditions. That’s a very clean, small-wave option to end the period.

Overall, the best on offer is Tuesday the 18th through Friday the 21st of August, with Tuesday the 18th being the true standout for size and energy, but it’s for experienced heads only. Friday the 21st is the pick for intermediates with clean 5ft east swell.

Rusty.

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