Hilton Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the menu for the Hilton stretch.

Honestly, it’s a pretty quiet spell ahead. The overall pattern is one of very small, weak swell with mostly onshore or cross-onshore winds messing things up. There are a few brief windows of glassy conditions, but the wave heights are tiny, and the energy just isn’t there. For the next several days, there’s really nothing to get excited about.

Monday, August 31st kicks things off with poor surf. We’ve got a 4ft swell from the WNW with a short period of 8 seconds, but it’s blown out by onshore winds. The combined energy is weak at 138. Water temp is sitting at 85°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. The afternoon drops off even more.

Tuesday, September 1st morning offers a tiny glimpse of hope. The wind goes glassy calm, and we’ve got 2ft of swell from the NW. It’s surfable, but the conditions are very ordinary – the swell is small and weak (energy at 53). Still, if you’re desperate, a longboard might float you around. The afternoon gets chopped up again.

From Wednesday, September 2nd right through to Monday, September 7th, it’s a real flat spell. The swell dips below 2ft and mostly hangs around 1ft to 2ft. Even the glassy mornings (like Wednesday the 2nd, Thursday the 3rd, Saturday the 5th, and Monday the 7th) can’t save it because there’s just no push. The wave energy drops into the teens and twenties – that’s weak.

We get another small pulse on Sunday, September 6th morning – 3ft from the WNW at 7 seconds, with glassy wind. Energy creeps up to 84, which is still low. The waves will be there but pretty gutless.

Wednesday, September 9th morning is the closest we get to a standout, and it’s not saying much. The swell bumps up to 3ft from the WNW at 8 seconds, with glassy conditions. The combined energy hits 136, the highest we see. That’s the pick of the fortnight – a clean little morning wave for a log. But don’t expect any power. The afternoon goes cross-onshore again.

After that, from Thursday, September 10th through to Tuesday, September 15th, the swell fades completely. We’re talking 1ft down to 0.7ft with combined energy dropping to single digits. It’s a proper flat spell.

So, if you’re hanging out for waves, the only real window is that glassy morning on September 9th at Hilton. It’s a reef break, inconsistent, and best for beginners, so the small, clean conditions will suit that crowd. Crowds are possible. The swell direction is WNW, which is close to the optimum WSW direction. Keep your expectations low – this is a long run of poor surf, and it might stay that way for a bit. It’s a typical quiet patch for the area.

Rusty.

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