Manly Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G'day, it's Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for Manly over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we've got a bit of a flat spell to start. There's no surf worth paddling out for on Sunday the 13th or Monday the 14th, and honestly, things are looking pretty average right through until Tuesday the 15th. We're looking at a long gap of quiet water. The first real chance to get wet comes on Tuesday the 15th, but it's nothing to write home about.

On Tuesday morning the 15th, you might find a few small, weak waves pushing in at Manly (point). We're talking about a little 3-foot swell from the NE, but the period is a short 7 seconds, so it won't have much push. The wind is a light cross-offshore breeze, so the surface should be pretty clean, which is a bonus. The combined swell energy is only weak (100). It's surfable, but very ordinary. For a beginner, the small size is fine, but it's inconsistent and not the best quality.

Things get a whole lot bigger but a whole lot messier from Wednesday the 16th. A big pulse of southerly swell arrives. On Wednesday morning the 16th, the swell jumps to 10 feet from the S with a 9-second period, and the energy is strong (1747). But the wind is howling from the SSW at 22 mph, creating messy cross-offshore conditions. This is big, powerful, and choppy – definitely expert territory. It's the same story on Wednesday afternoon, with 13-foot swell and 25 mph southerly winds. This is serious, powerful stuff (3200 combined energy) but the wind is strong, making it a real battle. Thursday the 17th remains large (10 feet and 8 feet) with strong winds, keeping it challenging. Honestly, for the average punter, this stretch is more for the thrill-seekers or the kite surfers given the wind and size.

The next period that might pique some interest is around Saturday the 19th. The early morning shows a tiny 2-foot swell from the S, but the period is a very long 16 seconds. This is a groundswell, so it'll have lots of energy for its size (265 combined energy). The wind is offshore and light at 6 mph, so the conditions will be glassy. This is a classic long-period, clean morning. The catch? It's very small, and at a point break, those long-period lines might not wrap in as well. The water temperature is about 63°F, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year. Crowds are likely here, especially on a clear Saturday morning.

Looking into the second week, Monday the 21st sees another big southerly pulse (10 feet, 10 seconds, 1820 energy) but the wind is still a moderate cross-off, so it'll be bumpy and challenging again. After that, the swell backs right off from Tuesday the 22nd through the end of the forecast period, with small, weak swells and onshore winds dominating. There's a glimmer of hope on Sunday the 27th, with a clean morning showing a glassy 5-foot swell from the NE. The wind is glassy, which is a huge plus, and the swell is a manageable size for most. The energy is moderate (476), and while the period is short (7 seconds), the clean conditions make it the standout option for the second week. The water temperature by then should be similar.

So, for the best on offer? For a proper clean surf, the Saturday morning the 19th is a real highlight for the smooth, offshore conditions, even if the swell is tiny. For something with a bit more size and still clean, Sunday morning the 27th looks like the best bet in the second week, though it's a long way off. Keep an eye on that one.

Rusty.

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