Manly-South Steyne Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s talk about the surf ahead for Manly-South Steyne.

Honestly, it’s a pretty grim run for Manly-South Steyne for the next week and a half. This is a sheltered reef, and it’s inconsistent, so a blank stretch like this is nothing unusual. The water is sitting at 63°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year.

The first half of the forecast is a write-off. Wednesday the 5th has a tiny 1ft easterly windswell with a weak period of 9 seconds, and the combined energy is a paltry 31 – just not enough. Thursday the 6th morning sees a touch more size, 2ft from the south with a 10-second period, and the wind is offshore from the west at 9 mph, so it’s clean, but the energy is still weak at 73. It’s surfable but very ordinary. The afternoon swings onshore, so forget it.

Friday the 7th and Saturday the 8th stay tiny and weak, with the occasional clean window but nothing to get excited about. Sunday the 9th is a complete write-off with a 4-second period and next to no energy. Monday the 10th has a 22 mph westerly blowing, and while it’s clean, the swell is practically zero.

The first real pulse arrives Tuesday the 11th. The morning sees 3ft of south swell with a 10-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 398 – moderate power. Wind is a light offshore from the WNW at 6 mph, so it’s clean. The afternoon gets even better with 4ft and glassy conditions from a light northerly breeze. This is the best on offer in the first week, but it’s only surfable, not a standout. Wednesday the 12th and Thursday the 13th drop back to small, uninspiring waves.

Friday the 14th morning brings a big jump: 8ft of south swell with an 11-second period, and the energy is a massive 2541 – strong. Wind is offshore from the SW at 9 mph, so it’s clean. This is for experts only, as it’s over 8ft. The afternoon turns onshore, messy.

The real standout is Tuesday the 18th. The morning delivers a solid 10ft of south swell, 11-second period, with glassy conditions and a combined energy of 4546 – very strong. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers, but it’s a long-range call, so less certain. The afternoon gets ruined by onshore wind.

Wednesday the 19th morning has 8ft from the southeast with a 12-second period, still powerful at 2035 energy, but with a light cross-onshore wind. It’s marginal. Thursday the 20th drops to 6ft, still clean with a cross-offshore wind, but it’s not the standout.

Overall, the best chance for a decent wave is Tuesday the 18th morning, if you’re an expert, but keep an eye on the forecast – it’s a way off. For the rest of us, Tuesday the 11th afternoon offers the cleanest, most manageable wave in a bleak stretch.

Rusty.

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