Hennemans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, I’m gonna level with you. We’ve just got one spot on the radar for this whole 16-day stretch: Hennemans. It’s a reef break, which is a positive, but it’s also inconsistent – it doesn’t break often, so when it does, you’ve got to be on it. The water’s sitting at 75°F, which is a whopping 7°F warmer than normal for this time of year – that’s very unusual, you’ll be surfing in a warm bath.

Right now, through the first week, it’s a write-off. From Tuesday August 11 through to Friday August 15, the swell is tiny, between 2ft and 3ft, and the wind is consistently cross-on from the west or west-southwest at 9 mph. The energy is weak to moderate (290 to 499), but it’s all messy and choppy. The wave comment is “poor surf conditions” – no joy.

Saturday August 15 and Sunday August 16 show a slight lift. The swell picks up a little to 3ft–4ft from the southwest, with a period of 15–16 seconds. That’s a long-period groundswell, which usually means better shape but also longer waits between sets. The wind turns cross-shore from the west-northwest at 6–9 mph, which is a bit cleaner. The energy climbs to moderate (460–595). The wave comment shifts to “marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions.” Honestly, it’s not a standout, but it’s the best you’re going to get in this window. The swell direction is SW, which is off the optimum west – so not ideal, but workable.

From Monday August 17 onward, it drops back into the doldrums. Swell drops to 2ft–3ft, wind stays cross-on, and the energy falls off to weak to moderate (172–399). The last day showing anything is Tuesday August 25 afternoon, with a marginal “1” score and light cross-on wind, but it’s still tiny.

So here’s the truth: there’s no true standout session in this 16-day outlook. The best bet is the Saturday August 15 morning at Hennemans – 3ft from the SW with a 16-second period, light cross-shore wind, and moderate energy (548). It’s not going to be world-class, but it’s the only window where the stars line up. Just keep in mind that reef can be inconsistent, and the crowds are sometimes around, so expect company.

If you’re a beginner, that 3ft–4ft is fine – you’ll be okay. It’s not big enough to worry about.

The rest of the month is a flat spell. There’s a gap of about a week from Sunday August 17 to Sunday August 24 where there’s really nothing worth paddling out for. On Monday August 25 afternoon, a whisper of bump returns, but it’s marginal.

Stay patient, mates. The ocean’s just having a nap.

Rusty

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