Nimitz Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it. We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag on the horizon for the next couple of weeks, but there are a couple of windows where it all comes together.

Right now, the first few days are a tough go. The best we’ve got on offer is Nimitz Beach, a reef set-up, but it’s inconsistent and it’s a beginner wave. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year. On Friday the 14th, we’ve got a 4ft south swell with a 14-second period, which is a nice long groundswell, but the wind is a cross-off fresh breeze at 19 mph, so it’s not clean. The combined energy is moderate at 859. It’s a marginal call at best, and the crowd factor is there – it can get busy sometimes.

Saturday the 15th sees a jump in size to 10ft from the east, but the period drops to 9 seconds, and the wind cranks up to a near gale at 31 mph. That’s expert territory only, and with that much wind, it’s going to be a mess. The combined energy is strong at 1464, but it’s not one for paddling. Looks more like a kite-surfing day than a surf day.

Sunday the 16th is still big, with a 10ft east swell, but the wind is cross-shore and strong at 31 mph. The combined energy hits 1969, but the conditions are poor, and the wind is creating a cross-chop. A real no-go for a relaxing session.

We hit a lull from Monday the 17th all the way through to Wednesday the 20th. The swell drops right off, with heights under 3ft and combined energy levels falling below 600. It’s all marginal or poor, with cross-shore winds. That’s a few days of flatness, so don’t bother waxing up.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Thursday the 20th afternoon is the standout. The swell stays small at 2ft from the southwest, but the period is a very long 17 seconds – that’s proper groundswell. The wind goes glassy, which is a massive positive. Combined energy is a low 326, but for a reef break like Nimitz, that long period will wrap in nicely. The crowd factor is a thing, but when it’s glassy and clean like that, it’s worth it. This is the best on offer.

Friday the 21st and Saturday the 22nd are similar. The swell builds slightly to 3ft. Friday has light cross-onshore winds at 6 mph, so it’s not as clean. But Saturday the 22nd afternoon goes glassy again with a 3ft, 16-second southwest swell and combined energy of 431. That’s another solid session.

After that, it’s a dry spell. From Sunday the 23rd through to Wednesday the 27th, it’s all cross-off winds and dropping swell. The energy is low, and the forecasts are all poor or marginal. There’s a small bump on Thursday the 27th with a 6ft east swell, but the period is a short 8 seconds, and it’s a clean but cross-off wind at 22 mph. Not worth the paddle for the quality.

The last day on the list, Saturday the 29th, shows a 4ft east swell with a 9-second period and a moderate breeze at 16 mph. It’s marginal, but it might be a fun little session if the wind plays nice.

So, to wrap it up: if you’re keen, clear your schedule for Thursday the 20th afternoon and Saturday the 22nd afternoon. Those are the glassy windows with the long-period groundswell. The rest of the time, it’s small, windy, or just plain no-go.

Rusty.

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