Merewether - Ladies Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s be straight—the next couple of weeks at Merewether - Ladies are looking pretty average overall, with only a few windows worth paddling out. The first few days are a write-off, tiny weak swell and onshore junk, so don’t bother until at least Sunday morning.

Sunday 23 August offers the first sniff of hope. Early glassy conditions with a light SSW breeze at 3 mph, and a 3‑foot south swell rolling in with a period of 11 seconds. The combined energy is moderate at 176—enough to feel some push. It’s clean, the swell direction (S) sits nicely against the break’s optimum ESE, but the waves are pretty ordinary. Still, it’s the best of a flat spell.

Monday 24 August morning has similar 3‑foot south swell, a touch longer period at 10 seconds, moderate energy (197), and a cross-off NNE breeze at 9 mph keeping things tidy. Clean again, but don’t expect more than knee‑high runners.

Come Thursday 27 August things jump up—a solid 5‑foot south swell, very long period at 11 seconds, and strong energy (610). This is groundswell territory, and on a reef break like Ladies, it’ll offer better shape, longer sets, and easier paddling. The catch: Thursday morning wind is a cross‑shore SW at 9 mph, so not perfect. It’s borderline good, but the size makes it more for intermediate and above.

Friday 28 August is the standout of the whole forecast. Morning brings 4‑foot south swell with a moderate 9‑second period, moderate energy (245), and a clean 12 mph NW offshore wind. Afternoon follows with 3‑foot south swell, light 3 mph WSW cross‑off breeze, still moderate energy (289). That’s two sessions of clean, offshore surf—excellent for a mid‑size reef wave. Crowds are “sometimes” here, so you might have company, but this is the best on offer.

After that, Saturday 29 August turns ugly with a 25‑28 mph south wind making a mess of even 3‑ to 5‑foot east‑northeast swell. Sunday 30 August gets heavier—7‑ to 8‑foot east‑northeast swell, periods around 8 seconds, but with onshore SE winds up to 19 mph. The combined energy hits 720 then 1375—very strong—but the onshore wind and short period mean messy, blown‑out conditions. That’s not for paddling; honestly, this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. That 8‑foot is only for experts anyway.

Monday 31 August morning goes glassy with light E winds, a 3‑foot east swell, 9‑second period, moderate energy (181), but the swell direction (E) is off‑optimum for the break’s preferred ESE. Still, it’s clean and surfable.

Into early September, there’s a promising window on Thursday 3 September: 4‑foot south swell, 8‑second period, moderate energy (328), and clean with a light N cross‑off breeze at 6 mph. That’s another decent morning sesh, though the afternoon gets ruined by a stiff NE cross‑shore.

From 4 September onward, it fades back to small 2‑foot peaks, light winds, low energy—nothing worth the drive.

Water temperature is about average for this time of year, nothing wild.

So, the true standouts: Friday 28 August for the clean offshore windows with solid mid‑size waves, and Thursday 3 September morning as a long‑range hopeful that could deliver again. Everything else is flat or messy.

Rusty.

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