Lake Ferry Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, checking in on the local scene. We've got a 16-day outlook ahead, but the first few days are a write-off, so don't rush down.

The window opens up on Friday the 21st of August. It kicks off with a solid pulse of long-period groundswell, delivering some serious energy. The water is sitting at 51°, which is a bit colder than usual for this time of year, so you'll want the thick rubber.

Friday the 21st of August is the standout of the first week. Lake Ferry is the call. Friday morning we've got a clean 5ft swell from the south, with a very long 15-second period, meaning those waves will have plenty of push. The combined energy is a hefty 1239 (moderate to strong). The wind is a light northeast offshore breeze, keeping the surface glassy and clean. This is top-shelf stuff for experienced surfers, but that water temp is a reminder it's not tropical. Friday afternoon stays clean with a light north wind, dropping slightly to 5ft but still offering very good surf.

Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd are a complete loss. Strong northwesterly winds, gusting 25 mph, will chop the ocean to pieces on a dropping swell. It's a full skip.

Now, the next real standout doesn't arrive until Monday the 24th of August. Monday morning sees a massive 10ft swell from the SSW with a period of 13 seconds and an absolutely pumping combined energy of 2673 (very strong). The wind is a light NNE offshore, but this is too big for the break – it's going to be a washing machine for anyone but the elite. However, Monday afternoon is an absolute gem for experienced surfers. The swell eases to a still-chunky 8ft, the wind is a light cross-offshore from the NNW, and the energy stays high at 1923. This is a session for the big-wave crew.

Tuesday the 25th keeps the fun going with smaller, cleaner 4ft swell and gentle cross-offshore winds. Good fun, but not the highlight.

We have another long gap through the end of the week and into the weekend as a strong northwesterly blows through again.

A real sleeper hit comes on Thursday the 27th of August. Thursday afternoon, Lake Ferry gets a spike of 8ft from the SSW with an incredibly long 17-second period. The combined energy is massive at 3264 (very strong). The wind is a light cross-offshore breeze from the ENE, making for clean conditions. This is another one for the experienced crew only, but the potential is huge.

The following Monday, the 31st of August, is notable. It starts flat in the morning, but the afternoon glass-off is a thing of beauty. We've got 7ft from the SSW, a 17-second period, and absolutely zero wind – glassy perfection. The combined energy is a solid 2230. It’s another big swell, but in those conditions, it will be a sight for sore eyes for the advanced surfers.

After that, the first couple of days of September look okay for lighter winds and some fun 4ft swell, but the window starts to close again with onshore winds and lumpy conditions for the rest of the run. There's a glimmer on the afternoon of the 4th of September with a glassy 4ft, but it's a long wait.

So, your two true standouts: Friday morning, August 21st for the first clean, powerful swell, and Thursday afternoon, August 27th for that massive, long-period event in clean conditions. The rest is either blown out, too big, or quiet.

Stay keen, stay warm. This is Rusty, signing off.

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