Hat Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty, and I’ve been watching this stretch of coast like a hawk. We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but once it kicks in, there’s some real quality on the table.

The first few days are pretty average, with small, short-period swell and iffy winds. From Monday 17th August afternoon, we’ve got a weak 5 ft swell from the ESE at 7 seconds, with a light rain and a cross-shore breeze. The combined energy is only 378—nothing to write home about. It’s marginal, choppy, and honestly not worth paddling out for.

Tuesday 18th morning sees a slight improvement: 5 ft from the ESE, 8 seconds, and glassy conditions with a light rain shower. The combined energy climbs to 328, and the waves should be clean. This is a small, friendly window for beginners, but don’t expect anything pumping.

The real standout begins to build from Wednesday 19th morning. Hat Head (a point break) is inconsistent, so it doesn’t always fire, but when it does, it’s magic. That morning, we’ve got 5 ft from the ESE, but the period jumps to 10 seconds, combined energy hits 507, and the wind is glassy from the WSW—absolutely clean. This is the first true highlight: a long-period groundswell, so expect better-shaped waves with longer lulls between sets. The water temp is 67°, which is spot on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Thursday 20th and Friday 21st turn ugly—onshore winds, short periods, and poor conditions. The swell drops to under 3 ft, and combined energy slumps into the low double digits. Not worth a glance.

Saturday 22nd morning offers a brief reprieve: 4 ft from the NNE, 6 seconds, with a light cross-offshore breeze from the W. The combined energy is 173, and it’s clean, but the period is short and the waves are ordinary. A small window for a patient surfer, but nothing special.

From Sunday 23rd through Monday 24th, the swell stays tiny—2 ft to 3 ft—with poor energy readings. Skip it.

Now, the second week starts to look promising. Tuesday 25th morning: 2 ft from the S, but a 10-second period and a light cross-offshore breeze from the SW. Combined energy climbs to 235, and the waves clean up. This is a small but fun groundswell pulse.

The next real standout is Saturday 29th morning. The swell jumps to 5 ft from the S at 12 seconds, with a moderate offshore wind from the SW, 12 mph. Combined energy rockets to 700, and it’s clean. This is a solid, powerful groundswell—best for a point break like Hat Head, where the long period won’t race straight down the beach. The waves will be well-shaped, with good energy. Crowds are often a problem here, so get in early.

But the absolute best on offer is Sunday 30th morning. The swell hits 7 ft from the S, 11 seconds, with a moderate offshore from the SSW at 16 mph. Combined energy is a massive 1610, and the conditions are clean and powerful. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers—too big for beginners—and the offshore wind will keep it glassy. The water is still average for the season.

Monday 31st stays solid: 7 ft from the SSE at 9 seconds, with a moderate offshore wind. Combined energy drops to 727 but still very good. Expect clean, punchy waves.

Then, the monster arrives on Tuesday 1st September morning. Swell size is 8 ft from the S at 16 seconds—a very long-period groundswell. Combined energy is an insane 4898, with a gentle offshore wind from the SSW. This is only for experts, and the long period means it’ll be heaving with big gaps between sets. For a point break like Hat Head, this is a dream—bowling, powerful waves with clean faces. The afternoon drops to 7 ft from the S at 14 seconds, still solid but with a cross-offshore breeze.

The far end of the outlook, around Friday 28th August afternoon, has a tiny 2 ft swell from the S at 16 seconds, but it’s too small to matter.

Overall, the window from Wednesday 19th morning gives a taste, but the real standout is Sunday 30th through to Tuesday 1st September. That’s when the ocean turns on the power. Keep your eyes on the long-range stuff—it’s promising but less certain this far out.

Rusty.

Read more