Manly Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s break down what’s coming at Manly in feet and knots.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start with some windows of clean surf, but you’ll have to be picky.

Sunday the 23rd has some waist-high swell around 4 to 5 feet from the south. The morning is glassy with light northerly airs – that’s your best early session. Nothing epic, but rideable. The afternoon goes to hell with a strong onshore northeasterly, so bag that.

Monday and Tuesday are mostly junk. Small, weak swell, messy cross-onshore winds. Wave energy is low to moderate. Not worth the drive.

Wednesday morning the 26th sees a light offshore from the southwest and clean conditions, but the swell is still just around 3 to 4 feet from the northeast and short period. You can get wet, but it’s not gonna light your fire.

Now Thursday the 27th is the first real standout. Early morning is dead calm with a 4 to 5 foot south swell at 10 seconds. Energy is solid. Clean, glassy, fun waves. Manly is often crowded, so expect company, but it’ll be worth it.

Friday the 28th morning is another top pick. Clean cross-offshore westerly wind, and the swell holds at 5 feet from the south with 11 seconds. Energy is strong. Waves will have more push and shape. This is the best of the first week. Afternoon turns onshore and choppy, so get it early.

Saturday and Sunday drop right off. Smaller, weaker, and blown out. Skip ’em.

Into the next week, Monday the 31st morning brings a weird one. Only 3 to 4 feet of swell, but it’s a long-period south groundswell at 18 seconds. The energy is huge – over 1100 – so there’s serious power. Wind is light cross-onshore, so the surface might be a bit bumpy. That long period will make waves stand up and run, but at a beach break like Manly, they could close out or be tricky. For experienced surfers, it’s a fun wildcard.

Tuesday through Thursday are mostly small and clean but lacking any real swell. Thursday morning the 3rd has barely 1 to 2 feet of south swell and clean offshore winds – you’d be struggling to find a ride.

Then Friday the 4th of September morning brings another proper session. A 5 to 6 foot south swell with an 11-second period, light offshore westerly wind, and strong energy. This is a solid, powerful swell with clean conditions. It’s the best of the second week. Size is pushing into more experienced territory, so beginners might want to sit this one out. Afternoon goes onshore and messy.

The last few days are small, weak, and mostly blown out. The final Monday the 7th is glassy but only around 2 feet of swell. Soft, clean, and quiet.

Overall, your top picks are Thursday 27th and Friday 28th August mornings, and then Friday 4th September morning for a later standout. Water temp is about average for this time of year. Expect crowds at Manly on the good days. That long-period swell on the 31st is worth a look if you’ve got the skills.

Rusty.

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