Manly-South Steyne Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Looks like we’re in for a long, dry spell at Manly-South Steyne before any real action shows up. For the next week or so, it’s pretty grim – small, messy, and mostly onshore junk. The water is sitting at 61.5°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want the thick rubber.

The first hint of anything worthwhile doesn’t come until Wednesday morning the 19th of August. Early that morning, we get a tiny pulse of 3.3ft from the ESE with a 6-second period, and the wind goes light offshore from the west. It’s clean, but the surf is really ordinary – barely surfable. You could get a few grovelly ones if you’re keen, but don’t expect much.

Then there’s another big gap of almost no swell until the 23rd of August (Sunday morning). That morning, a south groundswell pushes in at 3.6ft with a 12-second period, and the wind swings offshore from the WSW. The combined energy is moderate (346), and the wave comment says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” It’ll be clean, but nothing to write home about.

Now, the standout to keep an eye on is Thursday the 27th of August. Early that morning, we get a big south groundswell at 16.4ft with a 12-second period and light cross-offshore wind from the SSW. The combined energy is very strong (11,338), and the wave comment says “exceptional surf conditions for expert surfers.” This is serious size – way too big for anyone but the experienced crew. The wind stays clean through the morning. If you’re an expert, this is the one.

The next morning, Friday the 28th of August, is the absolute jewel of the window. Early, the swell holds at 16.4ft from the SSE with a 13-second period, and there’s glassy conditions – a light southerly breeze of 3 mph. Combined energy is massive (14,926). The wave comment calls it “exceptional surf conditions for expert surfers.” This is pure perfection for those who can handle it. The afternoon gets a bit lumpy as the wind turns cross-onshore, but the morning session is the one to aim for. Keep in mind, with that long 13-second period, it could break a bit straight at a beach break, but Manly-South Steyne is a reef setup, so it should line up nicely.

Saturday the 29th of August still has solid 11.5ft south groundswell with clean cross-offshore wind in the morning, but it’s dropping. Still good for experienced surfers, but the best is behind us. By Sunday the 30th, it’s fading back to 6.6ft and onshore, so call it done.

Overall, it’s a long wait with hardly any surf for the first week, then a dramatic, expert-only swell hits at the end. If you’re a beginner, give it a miss entirely. For you chargers, Thursday and Friday morning are the real standouts. Stay frosty.

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