Empty Lots Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on offer at Empty Lots.

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – the start of this run is pretty flat and messy. We’ve got a solid stretch of poor conditions from Monday the 17th right through to Sunday the 23rd of August. The swell is small, the wind is cross or cross-on, and the energy is just not there for a decent paddle. You’re looking at waist-high stuff at best, with a lot of chop and bump.

Now, things start to change a bit from Monday the 24th of August, but it’s not for the faint-hearted. The swell starts to build, but so does the wind. By Tuesday the 25th, we’re looking at a strong breeze from the ENE at 25 mph, with the swell around 6 ft from the east. The energy is ramping up (614 to 619), but the cross-shore wind and short period (8 seconds) mean it’s going to be lumpy and messy. This isn’t clean surf.

The real kicker comes later. From Wednesday the 26th of August through to Friday the 28th of August, the swell really starts pumping. We’re talking 7 ft to 10 ft from the east, with energy readings climbing into the four-digit zone (860 to 1485). That’s serious, powerful swell. But – and it’s a big but – the period is still short (8 to 9 seconds) and the wind is a fresh to moderate cross-shore breeze. The wave comment for the 26th afternoon and 29th afternoon finally ticks up to a “marginal” score of 2, but the wind is still messy. For an exposed reef like Empty Lots, this setup is really only for experienced surfers who can handle a powerful, lumpy wave. The short-period east swell will be dumping fast and won’t have the classic groundswell shape.

If you’re an expert and you don’t mind the chop, the best of a rough bunch might be Friday the 28th of August afternoon. The swell hits 10 ft from the east with a slightly longer 9-second period, and the energy is massive at 1485. The wind is a moderate cross-shore, so it won’t be glassy, but that’s the most size and power you’ll see. Just be warned: at over 8 ft, this is expert territory only.

For the rest of us, the week after that (from Sunday the 30th of August) the swell backs off again, dropping below 3 ft and the wind stays strong and cross-shore. The last few days of the forecast (into September) show even smaller surf with continued cross-wind.

The water temp is sitting at a warm 81°F with only a tiny anomaly, so it’s just your average tropical bath for this time of year.

In summary, Empty Lots is a tough call for the next two weeks. There’s a window of serious, powerful swell at the end of August, but it’s going to be a battle with the wind. If you’re an expert who needs a fix, the 28th is your day. For everyone else, I’d hold off and see if the forecasts clean up.

Rusty.

Read more