Rabbit/Manana Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s heading our way at Rabbit/Manana Island.

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you: it’s a tough stretch ahead. The first week or so is pretty much a write-off. From Sunday the 9th right through to Sunday the 16th August, it’s all cross-onshore wind and lumpy, messy surf. The ENE breeze is relentless, smashing things up. Sure, there’s swell, but it’s just not rideable. The wind is just too brutal.

For a moment there, things looked promising, but the wait is long. The first real flicker of hope shows up on Monday the 17th of August. That’s the standout. We get a proper shift. Monday morning sees a light southwesterly cross-off breeze and the water turning clean. Swell from the ENE at 7ft with a 9-second period, and the combined energy is moderate at (616). It’s not massive, but it’s clean, which after this run feels like a gift. That morning is the best on offer, no question. The water temp is sitting around 80°, which is pretty average for this time of year, so nothing wild there.

Monday afternoon stays decent with a light offshore from the SSW, swell dropping to 6ft and 8 seconds. Still clean and fun.

Tuesday the 18th carries that cleaner vibe into the morning with another light cross-off breeze, but the swell is backing off (5ft, 8 seconds). It’s still worth a paddle, but the magic fades.

After that, it’s back into the grinder. From Wednesday the 19th onward, the cross-onshore winds return, and we’re back to lumpy, poor conditions right through to the end of the forecast period on the 24th. That gap of poor surf from the 19th to the 24th is a long one, so don’t get your hopes up for the second week.

For a spot as exposed as Rabbit/Manana Island, with an optimum direction from the NNE, the swell we’re getting is from the ENE, so it’s a little off-angle. The break is fairly consistent, but this place needs the right window. When the Monday the 17th rolls around, and the wind turns kind, that’s when you go. It’s the one real standout in a pretty barren outlook.

Stay safe out there.
Rusty.

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