Narrabeen-Alley Rights Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve got my eye on the next few weeks for Narrabeen-Alley Rights. It’s a beach/sandbar setup that’s very consistent and exposed to the swell, so it’s usually got something going on, but the next 16 days are a real mixed bag. The standout days are definitely worth circling on the calendar, but there’s a fair bit of ordinary slop to wade through first.

The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

We kick off on Sunday, 9 August, with some small and messy waves. The morning sees a 3ft ENE swell with a 9-second period, so it’s short period, weak, and the cross-off northerly wind isn’t doing it any favours. The combined energy is only 163 – weak, and the conditions are just surfable but very ordinary. Not worth paddling out for.

Monday, 10 August, things get a bit more interesting. The morning brings a 8ft ENE swell with 9-second period, driven by a strong offshore NNW wind at 22 mph. The energy jumps to 950, which is moderate, and the wind is fresh offshore, so the waves will be clean. But at 8ft, it’s getting big for beginners and is more of an advanced wave. The afternoon sees the swell back off a touch to 6ft from the NE, with a 10-second period and a strong offshore NW wind at 28 mph. The energy is 653 – moderate. The wind is strong offshore and clean, but it’ll be hard to paddle into.

Tuesday, 11 August, through to the end of the week is a write-off. The swell drops to 3ft and then peters out to 1ft, with periods around 9 to 10 seconds but very weak energy (down to 17). The wind is mostly cross-off or onshore, and the conditions are poor. There’s a gap of several days here where the surf is just not worth driving for.

The next little pulse comes on Sunday, 16 August, but it’s a poor showing. A 4ft E swell with a 6-second period (very short period) and onshore SSE wind at 12 mph. The energy is 124 – weak, and the conditions are poor. Monday, 17 August, is no better: 5ft ESE swell with 8-second period, cross-on ESE wind, energy at 463 (moderate), but it’s choppy and messy.

Then we get to the real highlight. Thursday, 20 August, morning is the first true standout. The swell is 6ft from the E, 8-second period, but the wind is glassy – WNW at 3 mph. The energy is 426 (moderate), and the conditions are expected to be good. This is the cleanest, most surfable window in the first week and a half. It’s a solid size for a beach break, but the glassy conditions will make it a treat.

The next big standout is Saturday, 22 August, morning. The swell is 6ft from the E, 10-second period, glassy SSE wind at 3 mph, and the energy is 732 (moderate). The forecast says very good surf conditions. This is a real gem.

But the absolute best on offer is Sunday, 23 August, morning. The swell is 6ft from the E, with a very long 12-second period, and glassy N wind at 3 mph. The energy is 1062 (strong), and it’s described as excellent for experienced surfers. That long period means the waves will have real shape and power, but at a beach break like Narrabeen-Alley Rights, it might break a bit straight. Still, with glassy conditions, this is the session to aim for.

Monday, 24 August, morning is also a standout: 5ft E swell, 12-second period, glassy WSW wind at 3 mph, and energy at 1244 (strong). Another excellent call for experienced surfers.

So, for the best surf, you’re looking at Thursday morning, 20 August, for clean 6ft waves, and then the weekend of 22 and 23 August for the real goods – especially Sunday morning with that long period groundswell and glassy conditions. The later days are promising but less certain this far out. Crowds are often here, so get in early.

Rusty.

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