Oyster Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what we’ve got for Oyster Bay over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, this is a tricky run for our local sandbar setup. Oyster Bay is an exposed sandbar that needs a specific swell direction to work, and it’s inconsistent at the best of times. The first few days are a write-off, with messy cross-onshore winds and lumpy conditions that are just not worth paddling out for. The swell energy is there, but the wind is ruining it. We’re looking at a gap of several days with no real recommendations here.

Things start to show a little promise around Wednesday morning the 19th of August. The swell jumps to 10ft from the SW with a 13-second period, and combined energy is strong at 2412. The wind is light and cross-shore, keeping it clean. The issue? 10ft is getting into the too-big-for-this-break territory. For a sandbar, that’s going to be a washing machine for most, and the optimum swell direction from the guidance is SE, which this SW swell doesn't match. It’s a shame because the wind is close to perfect.

The real standout window opens up on Monday the 24th of August into Tuesday. Monday afternoon is the pick of the whole forecast. You’ve got a clean 8ft swell from the S with a very long 15-second period, combined energy at 3773 (moderate-to-strong) and a light offshore cross-off breeze from the east. That’s excellent surf for experienced surfers. The period is long, meaning proper groundswell. At a sandbar, that can make the waves a bit straight, but with that wind and size, it’s the best shape you’ll see in this run. Tuesday morning the 25th of August holds similar but smaller, 5ft S swell, still clean with offshore wind, but less energy.

Then on Thursday morning the 27th of August, we get a moment of magic. The wind goes glassy, zero chop, with a 7ft SW swell at 13 seconds. Combined energy is 1487. That is textbook clean glass. For an inconsistent sandbar, that’s a rare treat. If you can get out, it’ll be silky.

After that, it’s back to strong cross-onshore winds and messy, lumpy waves right through to the end of the period. The 1st of September shows a clean window but it’s far out, so keep an eye on it.

So, to keep it short: Oyster Bay is a fickle spot and this forecast is mostly a bust. The two standouts are Monday afternoon the 24th of August for the best combo of size, clean wind, and long-period energy, and Thursday morning the 27th of August for the pure glassy conditions. Both are for experienced surfers given the size and the sandbar setup.

- Rusty

Read more