Ketewel Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's get into it.

Alright, let's be straight with you. The next couple of weeks are looking pretty grim for a proper session at Ketewel. The swell is there, but it's almost always coming with a cross-onshore wind, just messing up the surface. It's a real love-hate relationship with this spot right now.

The water is sitting at a nice 80°, which is bang on average for this time of year, so at least you won't be cold while you're getting frustrated.

We kick off on Sunday, the 23rd of August. The morning is a write-off. There's a 6ft SSW swell, but it's coming in at 15 seconds – that's a proper groundswell, which is good for the reef, but the cross-onshore wind from the ESE is just chopping it up. The combined energy is strong (1712), but it's not going to be pretty. The afternoon is a bit of a mystery with marginal tides.

This pattern just keeps going. Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th are more of the same: 5ft to 6ft SSW swell, with a cross-onshore wind. The surface will be fair to choppy. It's frustrating because the swell has some decent period (15-16 seconds), but the wind is the enemy.

Wednesday the 26th the swell drops a bit, down to 5ft, and the energy weakens a little (835). Still, that cross-onshore wind is there, so it's a no-go.

Now, Thursday the 27th of August is a bit of a tease. The swell is smaller, around 4ft, but the wind swings to a light onshore from the SSE. The period jumps to 16 seconds, and in the afternoon it hits 20 seconds – that's a long period groundswell. The energy is moderate (1272) in the morning, then jumps to strong (1915) in the afternoon. The wind is light, so it could be almost glassy. The problem is the swell is small and the break is sheltered. It's a marginal call, but if you're picky, the afternoon might have a few clean lines.

The real standout, if you can call it that, is Friday the 28th of August. The swell is up to 8ft from the SSW, with a 16-second period and a light onshore breeze. The energy is massive (3522). This is expert territory – over 8ft is for the brave. The wind is light, so it could be clean, but at that size, Ketewel will be a beast. The morning is the best bet before the energy drops a bit in the afternoon (2836).

After that, it's back to the grind. Saturday the 29th through to the end of the first week is a mix of smaller swell (4ft to 6ft) and persistent cross-onshore winds. The energy is moderate to strong, but the quality just isn't there.

The second week doesn't look any better. The first few days of September are more of the same: 6ft to 6ft SSW swell with cross-onshore winds. By Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th, the swell drops right off, and the energy is weak (571). It's a flat spell.

Then there's a glimmer on Saturday the 5th of September. The swell jumps back to 7ft from the SSW, with a 17-second period and onshore winds. The energy is strong (2579). Again, it's big, and the wind is onshore, so it's a day for experts only.

The rest of the window is just more of the same story: consistent swell, but the wind is never right. The break is inconsistent, and it needs that optimum south swell – which it's getting – but the wind is ruining the party.

To be honest, this whole 16-day window is a dud for a good wave. The wind is just never going to be offshore. It's a real shame because there's plenty of energy in the water. If you're a paddle surfer, you're going to be fighting a losing battle. If you're into kiting, the combination of strong swell and cross-onshore wind might actually make this a more interesting spot than it is for surfing.

Rusty.

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