National Park Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. We’re looking at a pretty slow and patchy run for National Park. This point break has good exposure and an ENE swell window, but the next week or so is mostly about waiting through tiny, choppy, or just ordinary conditions. The real standout window is tucked away in the second week, so you’ll want to mark your calendar.

Let’s start with the here and now. Wednesday morning, 12 August, offers a fleeting moment of calm – glassy conditions with a light offshore westerly at 3 mph, and knee-high 2 ft easterly swell. The combined energy is a weak 79, and the water’s sitting at 68.9°, about average for the time of year. It’s surfable, but it’s more about getting wet than anything special.

From Wednesday afternoon right through to Sunday, 16 August, it’s a write-off. The swell drops to 1–2 ft, winds are cross-off or fresh offshore but the energy’s gone – readings bounce between 28 and 39. The wave comment says “poor surf conditions” for most of it.

We scrape by Monday, 17 August, with a short-period 5 ft swell from the SE, but it’s only 6 seconds – weak and lumpy, energy moderate at 191. Tuesday, 18 August, is where it starts waking up. Offshore winds from the SE at 16 mph, swell building to 7 ft from the ESE at 8 seconds, and energy jumps to 600. That’s moderate-to-strong energy, and the wave comment says “expect very good surf conditions.” This is your first proper standout – good for intermediate to experienced surfers. That 7 ft is getting stout for beginners.

Wednesday, 19 August, holds solid with 6 ft from the SE, 8 seconds, offshore winds again, and energy at 518. Thursday, 20 August, is maybe the pick of the whole run: clear skies, offshore at 9 mph, 6 ft ESE swell at 9 seconds, energy a solid 530, and the wave comment calls it “very good.” The Thursday morning is a little marginal with cross-off winds and 7 ft but lower-rated. Don’t sleep on Thursday afternoon – that’s the one.

Friday, 21 August, is a gem too: glassy, dead calm early with 5 ft easterly swell at 9 seconds and energy of 379. That’s clean, lined-up, and all for you. The swell is manageable for intermediates, but the longer period (9 seconds) and point setup will give proper waves.

Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August, the wind turns cross-on and onshore, and the swell drops back to 3.5–4 ft – poor conditions, choppy stuff. Avoid.

Monday 24 through Wednesday 26 August sees small 1.5–3 ft surf, with a brief return to glassy conditions on Tuesday morning and Wednesday afternoon – the Wednesday afternoon actually shows 4 ft from the NNE but only 5 seconds, so not much push.

Thursday, 27 August, finishes the period with tiny 1.5 ft and offshore winds, energy fallen to 43 – it’s done.

So, the real play is Tuesday 18 and Thursday 20 August. Both have solid 6–7 ft ESE swell, consistent offshore winds, and good energy. Thursday afternoon gets the nod for cleanest conditions and longer period. Tuesday morning is a close second with strong energy. The rest is wait-and-see or a paddle for nothing.

Stay salty.

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