Inch Strand Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s break down what’s happening at Inch Strand, but in feet and miles per hour for you.

The next couple of weeks start off real slow. From Thursday the 13th through to Saturday the 22nd, there’s barely a wave worth paddling for. Thursday morning kicks off with a 5ft west-southwest swell and a light cross-onshore wind at 6 mph. Combined energy is moderate at 392, but the conditions are messy. The water’s running way warmer than normal for this time of year – about 65°F – but that don’t make the chop any prettier. After that, it drops off a cliff. Friday through the weekend sees waves under 2ft, short periods, and poor winds. You’re looking at combined energy numbers like 50 or 60 – that’s tiny, weak dribble. A real dry spell.

Monday the 18th throws a 5ft pulse on Tuesday morning with 276 energy, but it’s cross-onshore and rough. Not the kind of session you’d tell your mates about. The rest of that week is small and choppy. Even that Wednesday the 19th with a 0.7ft swell and a 16-second period is just a tease – way too small, and that long period groundswell is gonna close out the beach break.

Now for the good stuff. Saturday the 22nd of August is your best bet. Early morning: 5ft west swell, glassy conditions – barely a breath of wind – and combined energy at 356. That’s the cleanest, most powerful surf of the whole forecast. The water’s warm, the wind’s off the land, and it’s gonna be lined up. Go early, because by afternoon the onshores mess it up. It’s a beach break, so that long period might make it a little straight, but for Inch Strand, this is the window.

Then into the last part of August, there’s another chance. Thursday the 27th morning: 5ft west swell with light offshore wind from the northeast – clean and solid, energy of 312. Friday the 28th morning: 5ft west swell, light cross-offshore wind, energy at 380. Both of these are promising, but they’re over a week out, so treat ’em as a hopeful maybe.

Crowds are sometimes a thing here, and on those clean mornings, you’ll have company. Beginners should step back when it’s over 5ft – that Saturday afternoon swell hits 6ft and is for the experienced crew only.

So you’ve got a long, quiet start – about 9 days of nothing. Then hit Saturday the 22nd morning hard, and keep an eye on the 27th and 28th mornings. Expect company, go early, and keep the faith.

Rusty.

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