Manasquan Inlet Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, listen up. It’s Rusty here, and I’ve been staring at the charts for the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a flat, quiet spell for the majority of this stretch, so don’t get too amped for the next week. We’re looking at a slow grind with some tiny, weak swell and a bunch of junky wind. But hold on, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s got some push behind it.

Right now, and for the next several days, it’s pretty bleak. The swell is tiny, mostly under 3 feet. The energy is weak, readings like 30 to 84 on the combined energy scale. The winds are all over the place, mostly onshore or cross-onshore, leaving the ocean a mess. We might see a couple of clean windows, like Wednesday morning with that glassy feel, but the waves are just too small to make it worth paddling out. You’re looking at knee-high dribble at best.

This poor spell drags on for the rest of the week and into the weekend too. Saturday, the wind picks up and, honestly, with that onshore breeze and a bit of rain, it’s gonna be blown to bits. Sunday morning has a little bit of offshore wind and some clean conditions, but those waves are still only 2 feet. It’s surfable but very ordinary. We’re just waiting for something with a bit more life.

The vibe stays pretty weak through the first part of the following week. Some more energy starts to show in the water—we see that combined energy get into the 100s by the 24th—but the period is short and the wind is still not our friend. This whole period is a test of patience. There's a long stretch of days here with nothing worth getting excited about.

Now, for the standout. Keep your eyes on Monday, August 31st, in the morning at Manasquan Inlet. This is the one. After that long, flat spell, a pulse of swell finally arrives. We’re looking at a 6 feet swell coming from the east, and the energy jumps to a solid 290. That’s the strongest reading we see all period. And the wind? It’s offshore from the west at only 3 mph—slight air, clean, glassy. This is the best conditions and the best swell of the whole window. It’s not huge, so it’s not a total washing machine, and the offshore wind will keep the faces clean. This is the one to be out for. Get your board ready.

The afternoon of that same day is a different story. The wind shifts onshore and swings to the south at 12 mph, the swell jumps to 7 feet from a different angle, and the energy climbs to a 405. It gets bigger, but it’s going to be ragged and cross-chop, turning into a bit of a battle. So the call is clear: be on it early.

After that, the energy fades back down again. The first of September has some leftover swell and energy in the morning, but the wind is already starting to cross it up. It’s a quick spike and then back to the ordinary stuff. So if you’re looking at the long-range, that early morning surf on August 31st is the one that holds the most promise. It’s a little ways out, so we’ll need to keep an eye on it, but it’s the one that’s got me feeling a bit emotional after this stretch of garbage. I’ll see you out there.

Rusty.

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