Johanna Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, lookin’ at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks at Johanna. This spot’s got a proper reputation, a beach and point setup that can handle a lot of swell, but she’s a fickle beast. We’ve got a decent run of swell comin’ through, but the wind’s gonna be the real story. It’s a waiting game for the cleanest windows.

We kick off on Wednesday the 19th, but it’s not much of a start. A 4ft south-west swell rollin’ in, period a solid 15 seconds, so there’s good energy in the water. But the wind’s pumpin’ at a fresh 19 mph from the north, so it’ll be choppy and blown out. Not one to wet a line for. Thursday the 20th ain’t much better, same 4ft swell in the morning, but the wind swings lighter and the surf stays marginal. By the afternoon the swell bumps to 7ft from the west, still a 13-second period, and the energy jumps, but that cross-shore wind is just enough to wrinkle the surface.

Now, Friday the 21st, the swell really starts to build. 10ft from the west-south-west, a long 15-second period, and the energy is buzzin’. It’s big, over 8ft, so this is expert territory, but it’s got that groundswell punch. The wind is still cross-shore, though, with a light breeze, so there’s a bit of chop on it. It’s not the cleanest, but there are waves out there.

Saturday the 22nd, she gets chunky. 13ft of west-south-west swell, 16-second period, and the energy is massive. That’s a lot of water movin’. But the wind is on it, a 12 mph cross-onshore, and it’s gonna be a messy, lumpy mess. This one is for the tow crew or the kite surfers, not a paddle session.

Alright, the first real standout comes on Sunday the 23rd. The swell has dropped back a touch to 12ft from the south-west, but the period sticks around at 14 seconds, keepin’ that power. The wind goes light, a gentle 9 mph from the north-west, and it’s cross-offshore. The report says “clear” skies and “clean” surf. This is a window, folks. Solid, powerful waves, a little overhead, and clean lines. It’s still big, best for experienced surfers, but this is the one to aim for.

Monday the 24th morning is another cracker. 10ft west-south-west swell, 14-second period, and the energy is high. The wind is a fresh 16 mph from the north-west, but it’s cross-offshore, keepin’ the face clean. The report calls it “clean” again, with a score that tells you it’s the best of the window. The afternoon turns a bit messy with a cross-onshore.

Tuesday the 25th, the wind goes south-east and it’s not your friend, pushin’ onto the break. The swell drops to 8ft, but the quality is gone.

We get another shot on Wednesday the 26th morning. A 7ft west-south-west swell, 13-second period, and the energy is solid. The wind is a light 9 mph from the north, cross-offshore, and the report says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” It’s clean, it’s manageable, and it’s a great call for a mid-week paddle.

Then there’s a bit of a dry spell. Thursday the 27th has a bit of wind, Friday the 28th turns onshore with a howling southerly, and the weekend of the 29th and 30th is a mix of wind and swell. It’s not a total blank, but the quality is low.

Now, the long-range promise. On Sunday the 30th afternoon, we see a 10ft south-west swell with a *very* long 18-second period, energy cranked. The wind is a moderate 12 mph from the east-south-east, cross-shore, so it’ll have a bit of texture. This one is a little less certain bein’ a week and a half out, but it’s a big, long-period groundswell for the point, which can be magical.

And finally, the last real highlight is on Tuesday the 1st of September. An 8ft west-south-west swell, 14-second period, energy on. The wind is basically dead, a slight 3 mph from the east-north-east, cross-offshore. The report says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” This could be a glassy, perfect morning at Johanna if the forecast holds. Clean, punchy waves. A beauty to end the run.

So, if I’m callin’ it: the absolute standout is Sunday the 23rd, with the cross-offshore wind and clean, powerful swell. The backup is Monday the 24th morning, also clean with a bit more size. The long-range promise is Tuesday the 1st of September for a glassy session.

Rusty out.

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