Friendly Beaches Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, it’s Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s shaping up for Friendly Beaches over the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but there’s some serious quality lurking in the back half of the forecast if you’re patient. Most of the early days are just small, weak, or blown out, so don’t rush.

We kick off on Tuesday morning, 25th August. It’s small – only 2ft from the south with a long 13-second period, giving the water that deep, pulsing feel. The water’s sitting at 57°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – nice little bonus when you’re sitting in the lineup. Winds are glassy from the WNW, so the surface is smooth. But with combined energy sitting at just 180 (moderate), it’s only surfable, not special. The afternoon stays glassy with no wind, and the swell drops a bit in energy (136), but still a potential little session on the log or a mid-length.

Wednesday the 26th is a write-off. We get a bump in size to 3ft, but it’s coming from the NNE with a short, crumbly 8-second period and cross-off winds in the 12-15 mph range. The combined energy is still modest (178), but the conditions are just poor. Skip it.

Thursday morning the 27th is marginal – 5ft from the ESE at 8 seconds, but with cross-shore winds that mess up the face. Not worth getting excited about. However, Thursday afternoon switches on. The swell jumps to 6ft from the ESE, period stretches to 10 seconds, and combined energy hits 688 (strong). Winds go glassy. That’s a proper session on the cards – expect very good surf.

Friday the 28th sees messy conditions in the morning with 3ft and strong SW cross-off winds. Afternoon cleans up as the wind eases to 9 mph, but the swell drops to 4ft from the south with a short 7-second period – still okay if you’re desperate.

Saturday 29th is small again. Morning has a clean 2ft from the ESE with a gentle offshore, but it’s ordinary. Afternoon is poor.

Now, Sunday 30th August – mark this one in your calendar. Morning session delivers 5ft from the south with an absolute gem of an 18-second period. The combined energy is off the charts at 1655 (very strong). Winds are light offshore from the WNW, glassy. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers – proper groundswell lines, long walls. The long period means it’ll reel nicely, and paddling out will be easier with the long gaps between sets. Afternoon drops to 4ft from the south at 17 seconds, glassy, still very good. That’s your standout window right there.

Monday 31st is a nice clean-up day – 4ft from the south at 12 seconds, glassy morning and offshore afternoon. Expect good surf.

We then hit a bit of a lull. Tuesday 1st September gets messy with rain and a 7ft NNE windswell (6 seconds), just marginal. Wednesday 2nd is small but clean in the afternoon – 4ft south at 10 seconds, decent. Thursday 3rd has a clean offshore morning with 4ft south at 9 seconds, but the afternoon gets blown out by 22 mph SSW winds.

Friday 4th is tiny – 1ft from the south with a long 16-second period, but combined energy is weak (74). Hardly worth a paddle. Saturday 5th has a glassy morning with 3ft north windswell (7 seconds) – ordinary. Sunday 6th morning is glassy with 2ft south at 16 seconds (362 combined energy) – that’s a sneaky good one if you want clean, long-period lines on the points.

Monday 7th September is another potential standout. Morning has 4ft from the south at 13 seconds, clean cross-off, combined energy 689. Afternoon goes glassy with 4ft at 13 seconds, energy 575. Expect very good surf both sessions – long, clean lines.

Tuesday 8th has 6ft from the NNE at 8 seconds – a bit fat and short-period, but the morning is clean. The afternoon turns onshore and it’s poor. Wednesday 9th is a total blowout – strong SW winds, poor conditions, only 2ft south at 18 seconds.

So, the real standouts? Without a doubt, Sunday 30th August – that 5ft south groundswell with 18-second period and light offshore wind is as good as it gets for experienced surfers. And Monday 7th September offers another dose of quality south swell with glassy conditions. Everything else is either small, short-period, or wind-affected. Don’t sleep on that Sunday – it’ll be worth the wait.

Rusty.

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