Lakes Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s break down the next couple of weeks at Lakes Beach.

Right off the bat, Friday morning (28 August) is the real deal. We’ve got a 6ft SSE swell running with an 11-second period – that’s proper groundswell, good power, and it’s unloading on this exposed sandbar. Wind is dead calm, glassy from the north at 3 mph, so the surface will be perfect. Water temp is 64°, right about average for the season – nothing weird there. The combined energy is 812 (moderate), and conditions are set for some very good waves. This is an advanced spot, so if you’ve got the skills, get out there early Friday. Crowds can show up sometimes, and with this quality, expect a few others with the same idea.

Friday afternoon, the wind swings to the SSE at 12 mph, going cross-shore, and the chop will kick in. The swell drops slightly to 5ft (energy 563), but conditions turn marginal – I’d be done after the morning session.

Saturday (29 August) morning is still clean, with a light S wind at 6 mph, cross-offshore, and a 4ft SSE swell (period 10s, energy 397). It’s smaller than Friday but still a fun option. Saturday afternoon gets a little bumpy with a cross-shore SE wind and 5ft swell, so morning is the pick.

Sunday (30 August) morning is glassy again – NNW wind at 3 mph, 3ft S swell (period 9s, energy 267). Small but clean. Afternoon is light cross-shore on a 3ft swell, nothing special.

Monday (31 August) morning is dead calm, 0 wind, with a 4ft S swell (period 8s, energy 387) – those short period waves won’t have much shape, but the surface will be smooth. Monday afternoon turns onshore with an ENE breeze, and the swell goes tiny at 2ft – a write-off.

From Tuesday (1 September) through the end of the first week, things go flat and messy. Onshore winds, small swells, and poor conditions dominate. There’s a gap of several days with nothing worth paddling out for – the energy drops way under 300, and most of it is choppy or cross-onshore. This is a dead stretch.

Now, check this – Monday 7 September morning. A big 8ft S swell rolls in (period 12s), with a fresh W wind at 19 mph blowing cross-offshore. Combined energy jumps to 1580 – that’s strong. But this spot is a sandbar for advanced surfers only; 8ft is getting up there, and the forecast says it’s likely too big for this break. Same story Monday afternoon: 7ft S swell (energy 1133) with clean offshore SW wind at 19 mph, but again, size is pushing the limits. If you are an expert and know this bank well, it could be a beast, but the guidance says it’s borderline.

Tuesday 8 September sees a monster 10ft S swell (period 14s, energy 4967) – very strong energy, long period groundswell. Winds are light cross-offshore in the morning, but the swell is just too big for this exposed beach break. Only the most experienced would even think about it, and even then, it’s a risk. The afternoon gets cross-onshore and choppy on top of that size. This is more of a kite-surfing scene than a paddle session.

Wednesday 9 September remains solid with 8ft S swell (period 12s, energy 2350) and light cross-offshore wind in the morning – again, likely too big for comfort. Afternoon gets cross-shore and bumpy.

Thursday 10 September drops to 6ft SSE swell (energy 965) but with rain showers and a cross-onshore wind – marginal at best.

Friday 11 September morning sees a return to cleaner conditions: 3ft SSE swell (period 10s, energy 322) with light cross-offshore wind. It’s a modest wave but clean.

After that, the run fades into tiny, onshore slop through to the end of the 16 days.

So, calling it: Friday morning 28 August is the absolute standout – best swell, best wind, best conditions. If you miss that, the early mornings of 29 and 30 August are your next best bets, but they’re smaller. The big stuff around 7–9 September is for experts only, and only if you know what you’re doing.

Rusty, signing off.

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