National Park Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Rightio, let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for the next couple of weeks down at National Park. It’s a point break, exposed to the ENE, and it’s fairly consistent, which is a good start. The water temp is sitting at 69°, which is 1° cooler than usual for this time of year – nothing alarming, just a touch on the fresh side, so you might want a spring suit for the early sessions.

The outlook starts with a bit of a flat spell. The first few days here are a write-off. Sunday the 12th and Monday the 13th are showing poor surf conditions with tiny, weak swells – the energy is barely registering. The wind is all over the shop, mostly onshore or cross-shore, so it’s not worth paddling out. You’d be better off doing a beach clean-up or just watching the horizon.

Tuesday the 14th and Wednesday the 15th are still flat as a pancake. Swell heights are a measly 1 ft and 1.0 ft, with combined energy dropping to barely a whisper. The wind does go glassy on Tuesday morning, which is a tease, but there’s simply no wave to ride.

Now, Thursday the 16th sees a sudden jump. Swell pushes up to 6 ft–8 ft from the SSE, but here’s the kicker – the period is short, 8–9 seconds, so it’s gonna be a bit lumpy and messy. The wind is a solid cross-off, so the face will be clean, but the energy is getting strong. This is just a marginal session; the tide might mess with it. Not a standout.

Friday the 17th gets bigger, but it’s a stormy one. We’re talking 8 ft–10 ft swell from the SSE/SE, and the wind is howling a cross-off at 22–25 mph. The energy is pumping, but that swell is getting too big for National Park. For a point break, that much juice with a short period (7–8 seconds) will be a washing machine. This is really for experts only, and even then, it’s a battle.

The real standout, and I mean the absolute one, is Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th. This is the best on offer. Saturday the 18th has a solid 12 ft swell from the SE, with a period stretching to 10–11 seconds – that’s proper groundswell. The energy is massive, but the wind is a strong cross-off. The catch? The swell is too big for this break. It’s a clean, powerful wave, but only for the most experienced locals. Sunday the 19th is similar, with 10 ft from the SSE and a fresh offshore wind, but again, it’s a beast. If you’re an expert, this is your window. But for the average surfer, it’s a no-go.

After that, it drops off quickly. Monday the 20th through to Thursday the 23rd is a mix of marginal surf. Swells hover around 5 ft–7 ft, with periods of 9–10 seconds. The wind stays mostly cross-off, so it’s clean, but the energy is moderate. The tide will be a factor, and the waves are just ordinary. Nothing to get excited about.

The tail end of the outlook, from Friday the 24th to Monday the 27th, fades into small, weak conditions. Swells are 1.0 ft–4 ft, with low energy. The wind is mostly cross-off or offshore, which is nice, but the waves are tiny and short-period. It’s just not worth the paddle.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a dud until the 16th, then a massive bomb hits on the 18th and 19th for experts only. After that, it’s back to small, mediocre waves. The best bet? If you’re a charger, Saturday the 18th morning. If you’re not, give it a miss.

Rusty.

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