Manly Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, mate, I’ve gotta be straight with you – for the next 16 days, Manly is not the place to be getting excited about. We’ve got a long, frustrating stretch of very ordinary conditions ahead. The first couple of days are a write-off, so don’t even bother paddling out until the weekend.

We’ve got a real dry spell from now through Friday, 22 August. Friday morning (21st) might have some knee-high waves around 3ft from the ENE, but the wind is a messy cross-off and the swell is weak with only 71 wave energy. It’s just not worth it. Saturday is even smaller and a total no-go.

The first real glimmer of hope comes on Sunday, 23 August, in the morning. The wind goes glassy – and I mean dead calm – which is a major positive for a point break like Manly. The swell is a bit better, coming from the S at 4ft with a period of 10 seconds, giving us moderate wave energy (281). It’s not going to be pumping, just surfable but ordinary, so temper your expectations. The water temp is sitting at 63°, which is about average for this time of year.

Then we hit another lull. Monday through to Wednesday evening are mostly plagued by onshore or cross-onshore winds and rubbish quality. There’s a window on Wednesday morning (26th) with a light offshore from the WSW and 4ft from the ENE (210 energy), but it’s still nothing special. Thursday (27th) gets blown out by strong southerlies. Friday (28th) morning is clean but tiny at 3ft. It’s all pretty bleak.

The next real standout is Saturday, 30 August, in the morning. We get glassy conditions again with a 5ft swell from the ESE, period of 8 seconds, and a decent bump in energy to 363. That’s the most promising surf in the whole outlook – clean, punchy, and a little more size. However, it’s only a morning window; the afternoon gets chopped up by easterly winds.

Monday, 31 August, also offers a few glimmers. Morning has a moderate offshore from the WSW at 12 mph, with 6ft from the ENE (389 energy). That’s solid size for Manly – not for beginners though, as it's over 5ft. The waves are surfable but ordinary, and the offshore wind will keep them clean. The afternoon is similar, with 5ft and clean conditions.

After that, the end of the run is forgettable. September 1st through 5th is a mix of messy winds, onshores, and weak or chaotic swells. The 5ft to 6ft stuff on 3rd September is onshore and blown-out – only interesting if you’re kiting, not surfing.

Bottom line: if you want the best of a bad bunch, get out there early Sunday morning 23rd August for some glassy, head-high surf. The whole run is skinny and inconsistent for a spot like this, so don’t hold your breath. The best session, if it holds, is Saturday 30th August morning – glassy, clean, and some proper push.

Rusty.

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