Johanna Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Looks like we’ve got a solid run of groundswell coming in for Johanna, but you’ll need to pick your windows carefully—conditions get pretty raw at times.

The pattern starts with a big pulse of SW swell that’s already rolling in. Friday morning (14 August) we’re looking at a beefy 15 ft SW swell with a 16-second period—very long-period groundswell that’s packing serious energy (10142). Problem is, the wind is howling from the west at 12 mph, cross-onshore, so it’s choppy and tricky. The afternoon cleans up a touch with a lighter 9 mph WSW cross-on, but still not glassy. This is big, powerful stuff—over 8 ft, so only for experienced surfers. The water temp is 58°, which is about normal for this time of year.

The real standout is Saturday morning (15 August). The swell drops slightly to 13 ft from the SW, still with that long 15-second period and strong energy (7222), but the wind goes dead calm—glass. This is exceptional for experts. Clean, lined-up waves at Johanna (a beach and point) with that groundswell hitting the exposed S-facing coast. It’s very consistent here, and with that kind of size and glass, it’ll be pumping. Crowds are often here, so expect company.

Sunday (16 August) sees the swell easing to 10 ft SW, then 8 ft WSW, with a cross-shore ESE breeze at 9 mph—slight chop but rideable for strong intermediates. Monday (17 August) holds 8-8 ft WSW swell with a clean cross-off E/ENE breeze, nice lines but still moderate energy. Tuesday (18 August) is a good call for intermediate-experts: 7-7 ft WSW swell, gentle offshore NE wind, clean conditions—solid, user-friendly groundswell.

By Wednesday (19 August), the swell drops to 4 ft, but the wind swings NNE at 22 mph—fresh offshore, so clean but small and weaker (energy down to 656). Thursday (20 August) is even smaller, around 4-4 ft, with light cross/cross-on breeze—not worth the paddle.

Now, Friday 21 August brings a new pulse: 8 ft WSW swell, 15-second period, light NW cross-off wind, clean and building. That’s a quality morning for experienced surfers. Saturday 22 August goes nuts—16 ft SW swell, but 22 mph WSW cross-on wind making it a choppy mess (energy 5535-8845). Avoid that—it’s borderline dangerous and lumpy. Sunday 23 August holds 13 ft SW swell with lighter 9-12 mph cross-on wind—still messy but maybe for the brave.

Monday 24 August is one to circle: 15 ft WSW swell with a cross-off NW breeze—clean, but the guidance says it’s too big for this break. That’s expert-only territory with serious energy (15561). Tuesday 25 August turns ugly again with SW winds and rain—poor conditions. Wednesday 26 August through Thursday 27 August sees 10-12 ft SW swell with light cross-on wind—marginal at best.

The final highlight is Saturday 29 August: a 8 ft SW swell, 16-second period, with NNW wind at just 3 mph—glassy clean. That’s a beautiful way to close the window, with moderate energy (3490) and clean conditions for strong intermediates and above.

So if you’re asking me, the best on offer is Saturday morning (15 August) for the pure power and glass, with a solid backup on Saturday 29 August for a cleaner, slightly smaller session. Only experienced surfers should be in the water the whole way through—this is serious ocean.

Stay safe, Rusty.

Read more