Pon. Inlet Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Ponce Inlet over the next couple of weeks. I gotta be straight with you – we’re in for a tough stretch. The first week and a half is looking pretty flat and sloppy, before we might just scrape together a couple of barely surfable mornings right at the tail end of the forecast.

There’s almost nothing happening from Friday the 21st of August right through the following week. The swell is tiny, mostly around 1.0ft to 1ft, and even the moderate wave energy we see in the afternoons – like 164 on Sunday the 23rd – just gets hammered by strong cross-shore breezes. You’ll see a lot of "poor surf conditions" in the notes, and I wouldn't argue with that. There's a long gap here with no real recommendations; you're honestly better off leaving the board in the car.

Now, look ahead. Around Tuesday, September 1st, we start to see a flicker of life. The morning shows a clean, 1ft swell from the east with a very long period of 15 seconds and energy at 130. The wind is light and cross-offshore from the south. It’s still small, and the wave comment says "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions." That's about the best we’ve got. It’s for the more patient surfer. The long period means the waves will have some push to them despite the size, and with the water temp anomaly being average for this time of year, you won’t need a thick suit.

Then on Wednesday, the 2nd of September, we get a similar story: a glassy morning with a 2ft, east swell, period of 12 seconds, and energy at 113. Again, the call is "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions." It’s a one-star morning, honestly. Combined energy is moderate, but the swell is tiny. These two mornings (September 1st and 2nd) are the only real standouts, and even then, they’re a gamble. Don't expect much. The crowds at Pon. Inlet are listed as "often," so expect company even on these small days.

So, the honest truth? If you’re desperate for a paddle, the mornings of September 1st and 2nd are your best bets. It’s promising but not a lock. The rest of the window is a washout. For anything bigger than 2ft, you’d have to wait for the afternoons, but those are all cross-shore junk.

Stay patient, keep an eye on the sky, and maybe wax up the longboard for those glassy little peelers.

- Rusty

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