Nimitz Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer for the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we’re looking at a pretty quiet run. The first surf worth paddling out for isn’t until Tuesday, 11th August, at Nimitz Beach. This is a reef break, so you’ve got to be a bit careful with your feet, but it’s a beginner-friendly spot. The water’s sitting at 81°, which is pretty much what you’d expect for this time of year – no major surprises there.

Tuesday 11th August sees a small, clean wave with a 3ft SSW swell pushing through. The wind is a cross-off from the ENE at 19 mph, which will keep the surface tidy. The combined energy is moderate (554). It’s not going to blow your mind, but it’s a start.

Wednesday 12th August is a bit better. The morning picks up a 3ft S swell with a very long 18-second period – that’s proper groundswell energy. The wind is a lighter cross-off at 16 mph, and the wave energy is solid (1025). This is a good one for a reef or point break, as the long period might make the waves a bit too straight for your average beach break. The afternoon is similar, with a 4ft S swell and still clean.

Thursday 13th August holds the same vibe. A 4ft S swell, 16-second period, and cross-off wind. It’s clean, but there’s a “marginal surf” tag on it, so it’s not a standout.

Now, Saturday 15th August is interesting, but maybe not for the right reasons. The swell jumps to 6ft from the east, with a period of 11 seconds. The wind is a strong 25 mph cross-off from the NE. The wave energy is strong (1144). This is getting into the size range where beginners might struggle, and with that wind, it’s going to be a bit of a battle. The afternoon sees a 8ft E swell, which is pushing into expert territory.

Sunday 16th August is a write-off. We’ve got a risk of thunderstorms, strong cross-onshore winds, and an 8ft E swell. The wave energy is very strong (1505), but the conditions are just plain messy. This is kite-surfing weather, not paddle-surfing weather.

The rest of the window from Monday 17th August through to Wednesday 26th August is a real mixed bag of small, marginal waves. The swell drops right back to 2ft to 4ft, with periods that are either very long (16-20 seconds) or very short (7 seconds). The wind is mostly cross-off or cross-shore, and the wave energy is moderate to strong, but the scores are low. Expect a lot of clean but weak surf, or a bit of chop. There’s nothing here that screams “go,” but it’s not completely flat either.

The one and only true standout is Wednesday 12th August morning. The combination of a 3ft S swell at 18 seconds, light cross-off wind, and solid energy (1025) makes for the best chance of a clean, fun, long-period wave. But remember, that long period (over 15 seconds) means it’s best at a reef or point break like Nimitz; it might break a bit too straight out on the beach. It’s not a big wave, but it’s the pick of the bunch.

So, overall, a quiet start, a couple of decent mornings next week, and then a long stretch of mediocrity. Keep your eyes peeled for changes, but don’t hold your breath.

Rusty.

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