Indicators Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve gotta be straight with you – we’re in for a bit of a flat spell before anything worth paddling out for shows up. The first real action doesn’t kick in until Saturday, August 9th, and even then, it’s a mixed bag. Let’s break it down.

The only true standout in this whole 16-day window? That’s the morning of Sunday, August 10th, at Indicators, a sheltered point break that needs an optimum swell from the WNW. It’s a tricky spot, rated advanced, and while it’s fairly consistent, it’s got a pulse of solid energy. The water temp is sitting at 59°F, which is about 0.5°F warmer than normal for this time of year – nothing crazy, just a touch on the mild side.

On that Sunday morning, we’ve got a 7 ft swell from the NW with a period of 9 seconds, and the combined energy of all swells hitting the coast is a hefty 1416 – that’s strong wave energy, no doubt. That size is solid, pushing into expert territory with that 7 ft face. The wind is a light 3 mph from the SW, which is actually offshore for this spot, and that’s a huge plus – clean, glassy lines. The only downside? It’s likely to be crowded, as this spot often is. But for a short window, that’s the best we’ve got.

Leading up to that, the early part of August is a write-off. From Monday, August 3rd, all the way through to the morning of Saturday, August 8th, the surf is either marginal or outright poor. There’s a tiny 1 ft to 2 ft swell on the Wednesday and Thursday, but with short periods and cross-onshore winds, it’s not worth a second look. The energy values are weak (130 to 416), so you’re fighting for scraps.

After that Sunday morning peak, the swell drops back down. The afternoon of the 10th has 5 ft at 10 seconds, but the wind is still cross-onshore, and the energy drops to 557. Tuesday the 11th is similar, with 4 ft swell and light cross-onshore winds – still not clean, and the energy is moderate (404 to 477). It’s marginal at best, but a patient surfer might find a few.

Then we hit a dry patch from Wednesday, August 12th, through to Thursday, August 13th – tiny 2 ft to 2 ft swells, all from the SSW, with long periods (15 to 17 seconds). That’s a groundswell, but it’s too small and the winds are cross-onshore, so it’s poor.

Friday, August 14th, sees a slight uptick – 3 ft from the WNW in the morning, but still cross-onshore, and the energy is moderate at 454. The afternoon brings a 2 ft SSW swell with an 18-second period, energy at 553, but again, it’s marginal. Not a standout.

The last chance comes on Sunday, August 16th, in the afternoon. We’ve got 3 ft from the SSW with a 15-second period, and the wind is a dead calm 3 mph from the W – glassy. The combined energy is 513, which is moderate. The water temp is still around 59°F, but the anomaly is a bit different now. The winds are glassy, making for clean surfaces, but the swell is small and the period is long, so it’s better suited for a point or reef break. Indicators is the spot, but it’s not a big day. It’s a decent option if you’re desperate, but it’s not the main event.

To sum it up: the best bet is the morning of Sunday, August 10th, at Indicators – 7 ft NW swell, offshore winds, and strong energy. It’s a short window, but it’s the only real highlight. The rest of the period is a lot of waiting, with a few marginal days that might just be worth a paddle if you’re local. Stay patient, and keep an eye on the charts.

Rusty.

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