Little Austi and Main Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s talk about Little Austi and Main Beach. This is a beach and reef setup, exposed to the east-northeast, and it breaks fairly consistently, though it can get a bit crowded at times. We’re in a slow start here.

The first week is a bust. Sunday the 12th kicks off with a tiny 2ft swell from the ESE, 10-second period, and a cross-off wind from the west. The energy is weak, only 98. Water temp is about 65°, which is normal for this time of year. But the surf is poor, and the score is a flat zero. Monday the 13th is even worse – barely a ripple, with a 0.3ft swell. Tuesday through to Saturday the 18th is mostly blown out with strong cross-onshore winds from the south, and the swell is either flat or short-period junk. The energy picks up on Thursday the 16th afternoon with a 6ft SSE swell, but it’s a choppy mess with a 6-second period (227 energy). By Friday the 17th, we get a bit more size, 6ft from the ESE with a 9-second period, but it’s still cross-onshore and choppy, so not worth paddling out.

The real action starts on Sunday the 19th. The swell builds to 8ft from the east, period 11 seconds, and the energy jumps to 1391. The wind is still light cross-onshore, so it’s a bit lumpy, but this is a solid groundswell. That’s big enough that beginners should probably sit this one out. By Monday the 20th, we hit the best window. The morning sees a 8ft ENE swell, 11-second period, but now we get a clean offshore wind from the NNW (15 km/h). The energy is 1267, and the conditions are excellent for experienced surfers. This is the standout session. The swell direction is matching the optimum ENE, and the offshore wind will make for some clean, powerful lines. That afternoon stays good with a 7ft ENE swell and light cross-off winds.

Tuesday the 21st is still very good, with a 6ft ENE swell, glassy conditions in the afternoon as the wind drops to nothing. The swell period is still a solid 11 seconds, so the waves will have plenty of push. It’s a bit smaller than Monday, but the glassy surface will make it a joy. Wednesday the 22nd morning stays clean with a 6ft east swell, but the period stretches to 13 seconds, which is a very long-period groundswell. That’s going to peel nicely along the reef, but with a 6ft swell, it’s still a bit much for learners. The afternoon turns a bit marginal with a light cross-on breeze.

After that, we see a slow drop-off. Thursday the 23rd and Friday the 24th still have some clean surf with offshore winds, but the swell drops to 4ft and then 3ft. Saturday the 25th has one more pulse: a 6ft ESE swell with a 12-second period and a clean offshore wind from the NW. The energy is 1256, and it’s rated excellent for experienced surfers again. That’s a nice little bonus. But by Sunday the 26th, it’s back to poor conditions with a cross-off wind and the swell fading to 4ft, and the following Monday the 27th is back to tiny 2ft surf.

So, if you’re looking for the best, it’s without a doubt Monday the 20th. The offshore wind, the solid 8ft swell from the right direction, and that long-period energy – it’s a proper session. The Saturday the 25th is a solid runner-up, but it’s a bit smaller. Don’t bother with the first week; it’s a write-off.

Rusty.

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