National Park Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s shaping up for National Park (point). This is going to be a stretch, with no standout sessions in the whole 16-day window. The water’s sitting at 68°F, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year – you’ll be wanting a good wetsuit, no doubt.

The first batch of surf kicks off Wednesday 26 August morning, but it’s a flat start: waves around 3ft from the ENE, 8-second period, with a weak combined energy of just 118. The wind is light cross-on so it’s bumpy – poor conditions. By Wednesday afternoon, that improves a touch: glassy wind, 3ft ENE swell, but still only 7 seconds and ordinary quality. Not worth paddling out for.

Thursday 27 August brings a bit more energy – 150 combined energy in the afternoon with 3ft from the E and a clean offshore wind. The swell is small though, and the period is 8 seconds – nothing to get excited about. Friday 28 August is similar: 3ft morning, clean cross-off breeze, but the energy is moderate at best, and the wave quality is just ordinary.

Saturday 29 August offers a light offshore wind and 3ft from the ESE – still clean, but the swell is tiny and the energy is only 137. Sunday 30 August sees a jump in size: 6ft from the SE with a short 6-second period, but the combined energy hits 289 (moderate). The wind is fresh offshore, but a short-period swell like this at a point break tends to be unruly and messy – it’s marginal, really only for the keen.

Monday 31 August morning has 4ft from the SE, 6-second period, and 247 combined energy, with a gentle offshore wind. The forecast says “expect good surf conditions” but the short period and small size keep it from being a standout. The afternoon drops right off to 1ft – not worth it.

From Tuesday 1 September through to Thursday 10 September, the swell is consistently small: mostly 1ft to 3ft, with periods ranging from 5 to 10 seconds. The wind is often offshore or glassy, keeping things clean, but the wave heights are tiny. The only blip is Wednesday 10 September afternoon with 4ft from the NNE, but that’s a short 5-second period and only 105 combined energy – still ordinary.

The best on offer across the whole run is probably Sunday 30 August morning, with the biggest swell (6ft) and fresh offshore wind, but the short period (6 seconds) and marginal quality mean it’s not a true standout. For a point break, you really want a longer period groundswell to get good shape. This isn’t it.

Overall, there’s no session that’s worth a special trip. The whole 16 days is a flat, ordinary stretch with only small, short-period swells. For a fairly consistent break like National Park, it’s a quiet spell, but forecasts can change – keep an eye on it.

Rusty.

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