National Park Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab your board. This is Rusty, and I’ve got the goods on National Park.

Let’s be straight with it. The next week or so is pretty flat. We’re looking at a big gap of nothing special until we get a pulse of energy that really matters. From Saturday the 8th right through to the 17th of August, it’s all small, weak, or choppy stuff. You’ll see tiny waves around 1ft to 3ft but with messy winds or just not enough push. The combined energy hangs around 20 to 200 (weak to moderate), which is barely a ripple most days. You’d be wasting your time. Then, from Monday the 17th, the whole game changes.

The standout window kicks off Monday the 17th of August. We get a solid shot of southeast swell that builds quick. By Monday afternoon, you’re looking at 7ft from the SE with a short period of 7 seconds, so it’s gonna be a bit lumpy and close together – think punchy, but not the prettiest. The energy jumps up to 524 (strong), and we’ve got moderate offshore winds from the SE keeping it reasonably clean. This is good for intermediate surfers, but at over 7ft, it’s pushing into expert-only territory for sure.

Tuesday the 18th and Wednesday the 19th keep the goodness going. Swell holds around 7ft to 8ft from the SE, still with short period (7-8 seconds), and those moderate offshore winds are consistent. The energy stays strong (575 to 619). The water temp is about average for the time of year, no big anomaly to report.

The absolute best session on offer is Thursday the 20th of August. You’ve got 7ft from the SE/ESE, period 8 seconds, and moderate offshore winds from the ESE. The combined energy is 666 (strong), and conditions are clean and punchy. It’s not a classic long-period groundswell (that would be over 11 seconds), so you won’t get long waits between sets – it’ll be consistent, rippable, and fun for those who can handle the size.

Friday the 21st is a real sleeper. The swell drops a touch to 7ft-8ft from the ESE, but the wind goes light and cross-off from the S and ESE. That’ll be glassy in the morning, and the energy is still up at 785 (strong). For a point break exposed to the ENE, that ESE direction is right in the sweet spot. Crowds are noted as often, so expect company, but for waves this good with that light wind, it’s worth sharing.

After that, things get a bit messy for the final weekend. Saturday the 22nd has a massive energy spike (1418), but it’s coming from the NW onshore wind, which is garbage for this spot. The swell is 8ft from the E with a long 10-second period, but the onshore will chop it up proper. Not worth it. Sunday the 23rd is a drop-off with onshore winds again.

So, the call: if you’re an intermediate or above, Thursday the 20th is your best bet for clean, powerful surf. Friday the 21st is a close second with lighter winds. The whole second week is the real deal, but Thursday is the standout.

Rusty, out.

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