Empty Lots Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's look at the next 16 days for Empty Lots.

Honestly, it's a pretty grim stretch of surf for this spot. The whole 16-day window is a long run of mostly poor conditions, with only a couple of days that are even worth a second look. The wind is the main problem – it’s coming from the ENE almost constantly, and it’s a cross-shore breeze that’s just chopping everything up. Most days the swell is weak and messy.

For the first week, from Monday the 24th of August right through to the 6th of September, it’s almost all "poor surf conditions". The combined wave energy is moderate at best, but it’s all wind-affected junk. A few mornings on the 27th of August and the 4th of September get a "marginal" rating, but even then it’s a cross-shore breeze and the waves are nothing to get excited about. The water temp is 82°F, which is about average for the time of year.

The only real flicker of hope comes right at the very end of the outlook. On Monday the 7th of September, the wind finally switches. In the morning, we get a light offshore breeze from the SE at 6 mph, and the swell is a clean 2 ft from the SSW with a nice long period of 15 seconds. Combined energy is moderate. By the afternoon, the wind goes light cross-onshore from the SSW, but the swell is still a clean 3 ft from the SSW. It’s not big, but it’s the cleanest we’ll see all forecast.

Then Tuesday the 8th of September still has light winds, with a 3 ft to 4 ft SW swell. The period drops to 12 seconds, which is still decent, but the wind is a light onshore or cross-onshore. It’s not going to be epic, but it’s the best on offer.

The pick of the fortnight is Monday the 7th of September for the morning session. It’s the only day with a light offshore wind and a clean, long-period swell running. You’ll be surfing the empty lineup at Empty Lots, which is a fairly consistent reef break that can get crowded sometimes. The swell is small, around 2 ft to 3 ft from the SSW, but it’s the only time the conditions look clean. The rest of the time, with the strong cross-shore winds and mediocre waves, this setup honestly looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

Stay hopeful, but don't hold your breath for the first two weeks.

Rusty.

Read more