Nyang-Nyang Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, it’s Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – we’ve only got one break on the cards for this outlook, and that’s Nyang-Nyang. It’s a reef set-up, advanced territory, and it’s exposed to the swell. The optimum direction is from the southwest, which is a good sign, but the wind is going to be our biggest headache for the entire 16-day run.

The forecast kicks off on Tuesday, the 28th of July, but it’s a rough start. We’re looking at a 7ft swell from the southeast with a short, weak 8-second period. The combined energy is moderate at 893, but that’s all for nothing because we’ve got a fresh 22 mph cross-onshore breeze making it a lumpy, poor mess. That afternoon drops to 3ft but with a very long 16-second period, yet the wind is still ruining it. Honestly, the first few days are a write-off.

Wednesday the 29th and Thursday the 30th stay in the same rut. Swell heights between 4ft and 5ft from the SSW, with decent periods (14 to 15 seconds), and the wave energy is moderate to strong (1038 to 1819). But that persistent cross-onshore wind from the ESE or SE, blowing 16 to 19 mph, means the surface is choppy and lumpy. You’d be fighting the wind, not the wave.

Friday the 31st sees the swell bump up to 5ft, period stretching to 17 seconds, and the energy is strong at 1791. The wind drops a touch to 12 mph, but it’s still cross-onshore, so the surf is poor.

Now, we finally get a glimmer on Saturday the 1st of August. The wind eases to 12 mph, and we get a clear sky. The swell sits around 5ft from the SSW with a long 18-second period in the afternoon. The energy is strong at 1735. The rating is still low, but it’s the first time we see a “marginal” call instead of “poor.” The cross-onshore wind is still there, and the period is very long, which at a reef break like this can offer some shape, but it’s also going to make the sets a bit drawy. The water temperature is about average for this time of year.

Sunday the 2nd of August is the one to circle. The swell jumps to 8ft from the SSW, with a 17-second period, and the combined energy is strong at 3022. The morning wind is a gentle 9 mph cross-onshore, making it fairly choppy but not as bad. The afternoon turns to a cross-shore wind at 12 mph, which is a better angle. The score is the highest we see in the whole outlook. This is the standout. It’s still not perfect, but it’s the best on offer. The 8ft swell is getting into the territory where it’s a bit much for beginners, but for an advanced crew on a reef, this is where it gets interesting. The very long period means the waves will have good energy.

From Monday the 3rd of August through to the end of the outlook on Wednesday the 12th of August, it’s a frustrating pattern. The swell stays solid, often between 6ft and 8ft, and even hits 12ft on the 8th of August. The swell periods are consistently long (14 to 20 seconds), so the energy is often strong to very strong (up to 8530). But the wind remains a stubborn cross-onshore from the SE or ESE, mostly 12 to 16 mph, with some days hitting 19 mph. The wave state is consistently described as “choppy” or “lumpy.” The scores are a 1 or a 2 at best, with many “0” scores. The 12ft swell on the 8th is huge, but with that fresh onshore wind, it’s going to be a messy, blown-out wall of water. That’s expert-only, and even then, the wind is a deal-breaker.

So, the bottom line: there’s a lot of swell energy on offer, but the wind is the enemy. The one true standout is Sunday the 2nd of August, with the peak of the swell and a more favourable wind direction. For the rest of the run, it’s a case of “if you’re desperate and have a high tolerance for chop,” you might find something. But for most of us, keep an eye on the forecast for a change in the wind.

Rusty.

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