Rabbit/Manana Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright crew, Rusty here. Let’s break down the surf at Rabbit/Manana Island for the next couple of weeks.

It’s a rough start. Tuesday July 28th is a total loss. There’s a 7 ft swell from the east, but it’s being hammered by a 30 km/h cross-onshore wind from the NE. The wave energy is high at 1664, but the surface is lumpy and messy. Don’t bother.

Your one true window is Wednesday July 29th. The swell drops to 7 ft from the ENE, with a 10-second period. The wind goes glassy in the morning, then turns to a light cross-off in the afternoon. That’s about as clean as it gets around here. The water is 80°, which is normal for this time of year. Crowds can pop up here sometimes, so expect a few others. This is the day to mark.

From Thursday July 30th through the end of the first week, the trades fire up again. Strong ENE winds, 25 to 45 km/h, keep the surface rough. Swell runs 5 ft to 7 ft, but it’s all cross-shore chop and mess. On Saturday August 1st, the swell hits 8 ft, but with strong messy cross-shore winds, it’s just a churn. The wave energy hits 979, but for a paddle surfer, it’s a no-go.

The second week, from August 3rd onward, is more of the same. Consistent ENE swell, but the trade winds stay strong. The period drops to 8 seconds or less most days, so the waves are weak and choppy. On August 4th, we see a longer period of 12 seconds, but the wind is still a fresh 30 km/h cross-onshore, so it’s bumpy. Wave energy is moderate to moderate-strong, between 261 and 660, but the wind ruins the surface.

Finally, on Wednesday August 12th, the wind eases to a light cross-off from the ESE, just 5 to 10 km/h. The swell is 5 ft to 6 ft from the ENE with a short 7-second period, but the clean conditions make it worth a paddle. It’s the only other decent chance in the whole 16 days, but it’s a long way out.

So, keep your eyes on Wednesday July 29th. That’s the cleanest surf you’re going to get. The rest of it is a battle with the wind.

Rusty.

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