Honkeys Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Honkeys.

Right off the bat, it’s a tough watch. We’ve got a real dry spell to start things off. From Monday the 10th of August all the way through to Sunday the 16th, there is basically nothing worth paddling out for. The winds are all cross-on from the west or west-southwest, and the wave quality is just blown out or messy. The swell energy is moderate but it doesn’t matter when the wind’s wrecking it. You’re looking at a solid week of flat, choppy, or just plain poor conditions.

There’s a glimmer of hope by Monday the 17th of August. The swell direction swings more southerly, with some real long-period groundswell creeping in – we’re talking periods around 20 to 22 seconds. That’s proper energy, and the combined swell energy builds nicely into the 1000s (1078) by the afternoon. The surf size hovers around 2ft to 3ft, so not huge, but that long period will definitely make it punchier. However, the wind stays cross-on from the west, so the surface will still be a bit lumpy and choppy. It’s marginal, but you could find a couple of workable ones if you’re keen. The water temp is sitting at a warm 84°F, which is pretty much normal for this time of year.

The real standout, and the only one I’d get excited about, arrives on Tuesday the 18th and Wednesday the 19th of August. The swell really kicks in. On Tuesday, we’re seeing 6ft to 6ft of SSW swell with a period of 18 seconds. That’s a meaty groundswell. The combined energy tops out at a very strong 2069. This is solid, powerful surf. The caveat here is the direction – it’s a south-southwest swell, and Honkeys (a reef break) really prefers it from the south. That means it’s going to wrap in with a bit less punch than it could have. Also, that long period (15-18 seconds) can make a reef break like this a bit shifty and walled. But the real killer is the wind. It’s still cross-on from the west and west-southwest, so expect a challenging, choppy lineup. This is expert territory; at over 5ft and up to nearly 7ft, it’s no place for beginners.

Wednesday the 19th of August looks a touch more manageable. The swell drops slightly to 5ft, and importantly, the wind lightens up to a light breeze (6 mph) from the west and west-southwest. It’s still cross-on, but just barely any wind. The surface will be cleaner, with just small wind ripples, making those long-period lines a lot more rideable. Early morning looks best with clear skies. The energy is still strong (1165-1370). This day offers the most potential for a decent session if you’re an experienced surfer.

After that, from Thursday the 20th of August onwards, it fades back into mush. The swell drops back under 3ft, the winds get fresher again, and the conditions turn poor. Thursday through the end of the window on the 25th are all a write-off with messy cross-on winds and poor surf quality.

So, to sum it up: the first week is dead, the second week has one small window. The standout is Wednesday morning, the 19th of August. It’s not perfect – the swell direction isn’t optimum for the reef – but the combination of decent mid-period groundswell and light, near-glass winds makes it the best on offer. Tuesday the 18th has the most size and power, but expect a rougher, more challenging paddle.

Keep your expectations real, and don’t get too keen until that second week.

Rusty.

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