Nanwan Beach (South Bay) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. The first few days are a write-off, I’m not gonna lie to you. Saturday the 4th through Monday the 6th, the wind is straight onshore or cross-onshore, and the swell is weak and short-period – it’s just messy, lumpy, and not worth paddling out for. The combined energy is only in the 200 to 280 range – weak stuff. The water temp is sitting at 85°, which is about normal for the time of year, nothing weird there.

So, we’ve got a gap from Saturday the 4th right through to Monday the 6th with no real surf to get excited about.

Now, Tuesday the 7th is where it starts to get interesting. That morning is still a bit weird with a cross-shore wind and a 3ft east swell, but the period jumps to 15 seconds – that’s a proper groundswell. The combined energy is already up to 579 (moderate) but the wind is light and cross-shore, so it’s a bit scratchy. It’s the afternoon that grabs my attention. On Tuesday afternoon, the wind swings to a light cross-offshore from the west, and that east swell is holding at 4ft with a 14-second period. The energy jumps to 745 (moderate) and the conditions are clean. That’s your first real window at Nanwan Beach (South Bay). It’s not huge, but it’s clean, and that groundswell will have some shape on the reef.

Wednesday the 8th is a step up. The swell builds to 8ft in the morning and 10ft in the afternoon, both from the east with a long 18 to 19-second period. The combined energy is 4310 and 6229 – that’s strong energy. The wind is a cross-offshore from the west-northwest, moderate to fresh breeze, but the report says clean. This is solid, powerful surf. But here’s the thing – at 8ft to 10ft, it’s getting big for intermediates. If you’re an experienced surfer, this is your best window. The crowd factor is listed as “often” here, so expect some company.

Thursday the 9th, the swell just keeps pumping. We’re looking at 13ft in the morning and 15ft in the afternoon, east swell, 18-second period, with a light offshore wind from the northwest in the afternoon. The combined energy is 10441 and 11552 – that’s very strong. But the file says it’s too big for this break. At 13ft to 15ft, this is expert-only territory, and honestly, it might be closing out or just too punishing. The wind is good, but the size is a beast.

Friday the 10th is similar – still 15ft, strong east swell, but the wind is howling from the northwest at 25 to 28 mph. That’s a strong breeze, cross-offshore, but it’s going to be a battle. The energy is 13342 in the morning, which is massive. Again, only for experts, and with that wind, it’s going to be a raw, challenging session.

Then we hit a rough patch. Saturday the 11th through to Tuesday the 15th, the wind turns nasty, mostly cross-shore or cross-onshore, and the swell is big but messy. The period drops to 9 to 10 seconds, and the energy is still high (1000 to 4000 range), but the report says poor surf conditions for most of it. The wind is fresh or strong, and there’s risk of thunderstorms. It’s blown out, choppy, and not worth your time.

Wednesday the 16th and Thursday the 17th are still marginal, with cross-shore winds and lumpy conditions. The swell is still 8ft to 12ft, but the period is short (9 seconds), and the reports are poor. The only flicker of hope is late in the period. On Sunday the 19th, the wind finally turns cross-offshore from the west-northwest, and the swell drops to 8ft from the southwest with a 9-second period. The combined energy is 954 (moderate), and the report says “expect very good surf conditions.” That’s your sleeper day at the end of the run.

So, the standouts? Tuesday the 7th afternoon for a clean, fun session on the east swell if you want something manageable. But the real standout is Wednesday the 8th – that long-period east swell with clean cross-offshore wind is the best on offer, but it’s for the experienced crew. That’s the one to circle.

Rusty.

Read more