Manly Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's take a look at what's on the cards for Manly over the next couple of weeks.

Alright, listen up. It’s a bit of a slow start, but the second half of this week and into the weekend is where the action is. The real stand-out, the one you’ve gotta circle in your calendar, is Monday the 31st of August. We’ve got a proper groundswell rolling in, and the conditions are going to be absolutely magic. Before that, we’ve got some building surf through the end of the week, but the wind is a bit of a fiddle.

First up, we’re looking at Tuesday the 25th. It’s a write-off, to be honest. Cloudy, onshore northerly winds, and the swell is a messy 5ft from the NE with a short period of 7 seconds. The combined energy is moderate at 439, but it’s just poor, choppy crap. Not worth getting wet.

Wednesday the 26th is a little better. The morning sees a 4ft NE swell with an 8-second period, but the wind swings offshore from the SSW. It’s clean, but those waves are ordinary. The combined energy is weak at 179. The afternoon drops to 3ft and gets a bit of a southerly cross-off breeze, but it’s still not great.

Thursday the 27th is where we start to see something. A 6ft southerly swell, 9-second period, with a light cross-shore wind from the SE. The combined energy jumps to a moderate 686, but the forecast is marginal. It’s a bit of a gamble, but there’s some size behind it.

Friday the 28th morning is a good shout. The swell is 5ft from the SSE, 11 second period, and the wind is light offshore from the WSW. The water is about average for the time of year, sitting around 63°. The combined energy is 632 – moderate. It’s clean, and the longer period means the sets will have some proper push. The afternoon gets a bit windier, so hit the morning session.

Saturday the 29th morning is another solid option. Similar story: 5ft from the SSE, 11 seconds, light cross-off wind from the S, and the combined energy is 739. It’s clean and fun. The afternoon turns onshore, so get it early.

Sunday the 30th is bigger but messier. We’re looking at 6ft from the S, 9 seconds, with a gentle cross-off breeze. The combined energy is 590, so there’s some grunt, but it’s marginal. The wind will be the key.

Now, for the big one. Monday, the 31st of August, morning. This is it. The swell is 5ft from the S, but the period is a monster 18 seconds. That’s proper groundswell, and it’s going to be wrapping in with some serious energy – the combined energy is a strong 1211. The wind is glassy, from the NNW at just 3 mph. It’s going to be flawless. For a point break like Manly, this long-period swell is a dream. The sets will be clean, powerful, and well-spaced. The crowds here are often, so you’ll want to be in the water early. This is the standout session of the entire forecast.

After that, the swell drops off fast. Tuesday the 1st of September is a drop to 3ft, and from Wednesday the 2nd onward, it gets tiny and weak. There’s a long gap of poor surf from the 2nd through to the 8th, with most days showing combined energy under 200. Not worth the paddle.

There’s a brief flicker on Wednesday the 9th of September morning with a 5ft S swell, short period of 7 seconds and a 273 combined energy, but it’s ordinary. The afternoon sees a strong 28 mph southerly wind, so that’s a hard pass.

So, to wrap it up: get on it Friday and Saturday mornings, and don’t miss that Monday the 31st. After that, it’s back to the waiting game.

Rusty.

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