National Park Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I won’t sugarcoat it—this 16-day window for National Park starts off with a bit of a flat, ordinary run. The first few days are tiny and messy, so don’t bother paddling out until we get some real energy moving in. The standout window is centered on Monday the 18th and Tuesday the 19th of August, when a solid SE groundswell lines up with clean offshore wind. That’s the call to clear your schedule.

We kick off Thursday the 13th and Friday the 14th with only knee-high, weak east swell around 2 ft and 9-second period. The energy is pathetic (53) and the wind is cross-off or offshore but it’s just not enough wave to get excited about. Saturday the 15th is even smaller and blown out by a fresh SSE breeze—leave the board at home.

Sunday the 16th brings a change. The swell builds to 6–6 ft from the SE, period drops to a short 6 seconds, but the wave energy jumps to moderate (248). Winds are fresh offshore from the SSE—clean faces but that short period means choppy, crumbly walls. It’s surfable but not yet firing. Better for a foamie.

Now, Monday the 17th: things get serious. Swell hits 7–8 ft from the SE, period lengthening to 7–8 seconds, and energy climbs into strong territory (480–754). Winds are fresh offshore from the SE. This is solid, powerful surf—too big for beginners, but an intermediate or above will be smiling. It’s a little raw with some rain showers around, but the quality is there.

The highlight is Tuesday the 18th. Swell settles to 7–7 ft from the ESE, period 8 seconds, and energy strong at 653–551. Offshore wind from the SE all day, moderate breeze. This is clean, punchy, and consistent. This is the best day on offer—crisp lines, good shape, and that offshore holding the waves up. Crowds are likely here, so get in early. Water temp is a bit colder than normal at 68°.

Wednesday the 19th still has good energy (400–342) but the swell drops to 4–4 ft from the E/ENE. Offshore wind continues—still very clean, just smaller. A solid runner-up.

From Thursday the 20th through Saturday the 22nd, it’s mellow: chest-high east swell around 3–4 ft with gentle offshore or glassy conditions. Saturday morning is glassy—absolutely pristine if you want a cruisy session with small, clean waves. Crowds likely, but it’s a nice window.

Sunday the 23rd gets messy with onshore NNW wind and poor conditions. Monday the 24th is clean but small (3 ft). From Tuesday the 25th onward we fade to tiny knee-high dribble and eventually flat by the 27th–28th. Not worth a paddle.

So, overall: don’t bother until Sunday the 16th if you’re desperate, but the real juice is Monday the 17th through Wednesday the 19th. The absolute standouts are Tuesday the 18th and Monday the 17th—big, clean, powerful. After that, you’ve got a few nice small days, then a long quiet stretch.

Stay salty,
Rusty

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