Forster Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line for Forster Beach. It’s a bit of a slow burner for the first week, but if you’re patient, there’s a serious payoff waiting in the second week.

The kick-off is quiet. Monday the 3rd of August has a tiny 3ft swell from the SE with a period of 11 seconds, giving us a moderate wave energy (254), but the cross-on NE wind at 9 mph is messing it up. It’s a no-go. Tuesday the 4th drops right off with only 1ft of swell and a 10-second period, even though the morning is clean with a light WSW offshore. The energy is barely there (43). Wednesday and Thursday are similar: small 2ft to 2ft swells with short periods. Thursday morning the 6th does get glassy with a WSW offshore, but the swell is only 2ft from the S. The energy picks up a little (112), but it’s just ordinary.

You’ll be waiting until Friday the 7th for any real glimmer. The morning is glassy with a WSW offshore, and the swell hits 3ft from the SSW with a 9-second period. The energy is moderate (184). The weekend sees a bit more size on Saturday the 8th morning with 3ft of SSW swell, glassy conditions, and energy climbing to 196. It’s surfable but still very ordinary. The quality drops off by the afternoon as the wind swings onshore.

The first real standout arrives on Monday the 17th of August. The morning brings a 6ft SSW groundswell with a 10-second period, and the energy is strong (693). The wind is a light SW cross-offshore at 6 mph, cleaning it up nicely. This is excellent for experienced surfers – the swell is over 5ft, so it’s entering the zone where beginners might find it a bit much. The sets will have good shape and power.

But the absolute best day on offer is Tuesday the 18th of August. The morning pumps with a 10ft SSW groundswell, a 10-second period, and a massive combined energy of 2917 – that’s very strong. The wind is a light SSW cross-offshore at just 3 mph, making the conditions super clean. This is a true standout, but heads up: this is only for expert surfers. 10ft of solid SSW groundswell is serious. The long period (10 seconds) will mean well-shaped waves with plenty of energy, but at a beach break like Forster, that long period groundswell can make the waves a bit too straight and powerful on the take-off. The afternoon sees the wind swing cross-onshore, and the swell drops to 8ft, which is still heavy but the quality drops off.

The water temperature is sitting at 65°, which is about 1° colder than normal for this time of year – nothing unusual there.

There’s a notable gap in the first week where nothing is really worth paddling out for, from the 3rd to the 9th of August. It’s a long wait. But hang in there, because the 17th and especially the 18th deliver the goods if you’ve got the skill. On the 18th, there’s a chance of crowds, as Forster is often busy when it’s good.

Stay keen, and I’ll see you in the water.

Rusty

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