Nanwan Beach (South Bay) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m looking at your local surf outlook for Nanwan Beach (South Bay). Let’s get into it.

The start of the outlook is a real bummer, I gotta be honest. For the first few days, from Friday the 7th through the weekend, we’ve got some serious swell but it’s coming with a whole lot of problems. The wind is howling from the west and west-northwest at 25 to 31 mph, which is a strong breeze to near gale force, and it’s all cross-offshore. That’s just not gonna line up for anything rideable. The water temp is a warm 85°, which is about average for this time of year, but that’s about the only good thing. The swell is building from 2 ft up to a massive 13 ft, but the energy is weak to moderate at first, then absolutely cranking up to 2382 and 3341 on Sunday – that’s strong wave energy, but it’s all for nothing with that wind. Honestly, with that much swell and that much wind, it looks more interesting for the kite surfers than paddle surfing.

We do get a bit of a window, but it’s not for the faint-hearted. On Monday the 10th, the swell is peaking at 15 ft from the SW with a period of 11 seconds, and the combined energy is a massive 4252. That is a powerful, very long-period groundswell. The wind is still a strong cross-off, but it’s clean. This is expert-only territory. That swell is way too big for beginners and will be a handful for anyone. The long period will make it punchy and those sets will be spaced out. It’s a beast.

Tuesday the 11th still has a big 12 ft to 10 ft SW swell, but the wind shifts to a cross-shore, and the report says there’s lumpy cross-chop. The quality just isn’t there. The combined energy is still high, between 1603 and 2015, but it’s a messy, powerful ocean.

From Wednesday the 12th through to the end of the week, we’re in a long stretch of marginal conditions. The swell drops to around 8 ft, which is still a decent size, but the wind is still a fresh breeze and the forecast is giving it a low score. It’s not a total write-off, but it’s not what you’d call good surf. The morning of the 14th has a slightly better 8 ft swell with a moderate breeze, but it’s still just a "marginal" call.

Now, there’s a glimmer of hope at the end of the run. On Sunday the 16th, the swell drops to a manageable 6 ft, the wind goes glassy in the afternoon from the NW at just 3 mph, and the combined energy is a weak 482. The report says "expect good surf conditions." That’s the standout. It’s not a huge swell, but it’s clean and glassy.

Monday the 17th morning is also a highlight: the wind is dead calm, absolutely glassy, with a 5 ft SW swell. The combined energy is 424. That’s your best bet for a clean, fun session. The crowd profile says "often," so expect company.

The last few days of the outlook, from the 20th to the 22nd, are a mixed bag. Thursday the 20th afternoon looks promising again with a glassy 6 ft SSW swell and a combined energy of 585. The report says "expect good surf conditions." But the following days are a letdown, with onshore winds and a lot of rain on the forecast.

So, if you’re looking for the best on offer, it’s the glassy sessions on Sunday the 16th afternoon and Monday the 17th morning. The swell is small but clean, and the wind is your friend. The rest of the window is either too big, too windy, or just plain messy.

Stay safe out there.

Rusty

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