Moonlight Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s call it as it is. Moonlight Beach is the only spot on the cards for the next 16 days, and truth be told, it’s a tough stretch. The swell is there, but it’s small, the wind is messy, and the wave quality just isn’t cooperating. This is one of those periods where you’re better off waiting for the next system to roll through.

Right now, on Monday the 3rd of August, we’ve got a tiny 2ft SW swell with a 13-second period, but it’s onshore wind and the conditions are poor. The combined energy is weak (130). That pretty much sets the tone for the whole week. Tuesday the 4th and Wednesday the 5th are more of the same – small SW swell, cross-onshore wind, clean conditions are a no-show. The energy is creeping up a bit – 166 to 179 – but that’s not saying much.

Thursday the 6th sees a little more life in the water with a 2ft SW swell and a 13-second period, and the energy bumps up to 231 in the afternoon, but it’s still a messy, poor surf call. The wind stays light, which is a small mercy, but it’s cross-onshore, so don’t expect much.

Friday the 7th is where things get a bit more interesting. The swell jumps to 2ft from the SSW, and the period hits 19 seconds – that’s a proper long-period groundswell. The energy is up to 484, which is moderate. But here’s the catch: that long period is going to make this beach break fat and straight. It’s best for a point or reef, but Moonlight is an exposed beach. The wind is still cross-onshore, so the surface is going to be choppy. Not a standout, but it’s the best we’ve seen so far.

Saturday the 8th holds similar energy (441 to 496) with a 3ft to 3ft SSW swell, period dropping to 16 to 17 seconds. Still, the wind is cross-onshore, and the surf quality is poor. The energy is there, but it’s not coming together.

Sunday the 9th through to Tuesday the 11th is a grind. Swell stays around 2ft to 3ft, with periods from 13 to 20 seconds, and the energy is mostly in the 300s to 400s. The wind is light at times, but it’s never clean offshore. The surf is just poor.

From Wednesday the 12th onward, the wind starts to swing more westerly, occasionally going onshore. The swell is still small, 2ft to 3ft, with periods in the 14 to 18-second range. The energy is solid – 301 to 495 – but the wave quality is still poor. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual.

So, the bottom line: there’s no standout session here. The best of a bad bunch is probably Friday the 7th or Saturday the 8th, where the energy is highest and the swell is a bit bigger, but the wind and the beach break setup kill it. If you’re a beginner, the 2ft to 3ft waves are manageable, but the chop and cross-onshore winds will make it frustrating. For experts, there’s nothing worth paddling out for.

This is a long, quiet stretch. It’s one of those times where the forecast shows a pulse of energy, but the conditions just won’t let it shine. Keep an eye on the charts – it can’t stay poor forever.

Rusty.

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