FA's Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you: the next couple of weeks are looking pretty flat and quiet for FA's (beach and reef). There’s no real surf to get excited about for a while, and the good news is, there’s a bit of a wait before we see anything worth paddling out for.

Right now, and through the 19th of August, the surf is tiny, with a weak, combined swell energy of only 42 (weak energy). We’ve got a small 2 ft easterly swell at 9 seconds, but it’s coming from the wrong direction, and the wind is cross-onshore, making it choppy and messy. Not worth the drive.

The 20th of August starts with a glassy morning, but the swell is even smaller at 1 ft, and period is a short 8 seconds. The water temperature is a warm 85°, which is about average for this time of year. The afternoon swings back to onshore and choppy, so that’s a no-go.

We’ve got a long stretch of consistently poor surf through the 21st to the 25th of August. The swell stays small, mostly 1 ft to 3 ft, with short periods (4 to 9 seconds) and the wind is often cross-onshore or onshore. The combined energy stays weak to moderate, peaking at 237 (moderate energy) on the 23rd of August afternoon, but it’s a 3 ft ESE swell at 12 seconds, with a moderate cross-onshore breeze making it choppy. Not what you want.

Things look a little better on the 27th of August. The morning has a clean, cross-offshore wind, and a 2 ft SE swell (5 seconds). The combined energy is weak at 40. The afternoon gets a bit of a bump: 3 ft ESE swell, still short period at 5 seconds, but the wind is clean cross-offshore, and the energy is 55 (weak). It’s described as “surfable but ordinary,” so it’s a small window for a tiny wave.

The 28th of August morning is the first real standout here. We’ve got a 3 ft ESE swell with a period of 9 seconds, combined energy of 105 (moderate), and clean cross-offshore winds. This is the best you’ll see for a while – small but clean, and the swell direction is close to optimum (SSE). It’s a beginner-friendly size, but the break is fairly consistent, so you can find a few little ones. Keep in mind, crowds are often around here, so expect company.

The 30th of August morning is another highlight. The swell is 2 ft from the ESE at 12 seconds, with a glassy wind and combined energy of 150 (moderate). The longer period (12 seconds) means the waves will have a bit more shape and energy, but the sets will be fewer. This is a good pick for a mellow session.

The 31st of August morning also looks promising: 2 ft ESE swell, 9 seconds, glassy wind, and energy of 94 (weak). Clean and calm, just very small.

Into the first week of September, the 1st of September morning has a 2 ft E swell at a very long 13 seconds, with onshore wind – not great for the break. The 2nd of September is similar, with onshore winds and a 3 ft ESE swell at 11 seconds. The 3rd of September morning is the last chance in the window: 2 ft ESE swell, 9 seconds, glassy wind, and combined energy of 137 (moderate). It’s clean, but again, very small.

Overall, there’s a gap of about 8 days of poor to no surf from the 19th of August through to the 26th. The 27th of August starts to see some clean conditions, but the 28th of August morning is the best bet for a small, clean wave. The 30th of August morning is also a decent glassy option. Just keep your expectations low – it’s a flat spell, but we’ve got a couple of windows for a paddle.

Rusty.

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