Rye Ocean Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, g’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s on the table for Rye Ocean Beach over the next couple of weeks. This is a beach and reef setup, exposed to the SW, so it grabs a decent amount of energy when the conditions line up. First thing to know: there’s actually some surf on offer right from the get-go, so no quiet start.

The water temp is sitting around 56°, with a tiny anomaly of 1°, so it’s pretty much average for this time of year. No drama there.

We kick off on Monday morning, August 17th, with clean 5 ft SW swell, period around 14 seconds, and a light offshore ENE breeze at 6 mph. That’s a solid, long-period groundswell, and with that glassy morning feel, it’s looking like a good one for the early session. The combined energy is moderate at (895), so nothing gnarly, just fun.

That afternoon, the wind swings SE and starts to cross it up at 9 mph, and the swell bumps to 6 ft. It gets a bit lumpy, so the morning is your window.

Tuesday the 18th is another good morning option. Cloudy skies, but a clean 4 ft SW swell with a moderate offshore NE breeze at 12 mph. Easy paddling, neat waves. The energy drops a touch (984), but still worth a paddle.

We then hit a rough patch. From Wednesday morning the 19th, the wind howls out of the north at 28 to 31 mph, and the swell drops to under 3 ft. It stays messy and blown out through Thursday and Friday, with some lumpy cross-shore winds. Surf quality is poor. Friday afternoon on the 21st sees a spike in swell height to 6 ft, but the wind is bad, so it’s a write-off.

Saturday morning the 22nd is where things get interesting, but you need to be experienced. We’ve got a 8 ft SW swell, period 15 seconds, solid energy (2608). The wind is a moderate cross-shore from the WNW at 16 mph, but that’s a lot of water moving. It’s too big for beginners – this is for the crew who know what they’re doing. By the afternoon, it’s even bigger at 8 ft, with onshore wind from the SW, so it’s going to be a bit of a beast.

Sunday the 23rd is still meaty, with 8 ft in the morning, but the cross-shore wind makes it lumpy. The afternoon drops to 6 ft, but it’s still a bit messy.

Then we’ve got a proper lull from Monday the 24th right through to Wednesday the 26th. Strong onshore winds and rain, with swell dropping to under 3 ft. Not worth getting wet.

Thursday the 27th brings some hope. The morning is a bit marginal, with a 4 ft SW long-period groundswell (18 seconds!) and light NW cross-shore wind. The energy is moderate (997). But the real standout is Thursday afternoon: 4 ft SW swell, glassy conditions with NE wind at just 3 mph. That’s going to be clean as a whistle. The period is still long at 16 seconds, so it’ll push in with some shape. This is the pick of the whole outlook for a relaxed, clean session.

Friday the 28th goes a bit rough again, with a 5 ft swell but a gusty cross-offshore NW wind at 16 mph. It’s clean but a bit onshore by the afternoon, and too big for the break setup.

Saturday the 29th is a big one. 12 ft SW swell in the morning! That’s a lot of water, combined energy is strong (4543). The wind is light from the NW at 6 mph, so the face might be okay, but this is only for absolute experts. It’ll be too much for the beach and reef setup. The afternoon drops to 8 ft, still big.

Sunday the 30th morning is a proper consolation for the brave: 7 ft SW groundswell, period 15 seconds, and a light offshore NNE breeze at 6 mph. The comment says it’s excellent for experienced surfers, and I’d agree. Energy is moderate-strong (1823). The afternoon drops to 4 ft and gets a bit of cross-chop.

Monday the 31st morning is a monster again – 10 ft WSW swell with a 17-second period! That’s very long-period groundswell, and it’s going to be powerful. Wind is offshore from the NNE at 9 mph, so it’ll be clean, but the combined energy is huge (10671). Only for the elite crew. Afternoon drops to 8 ft, same story.

Then Tuesday September 1st sees the end of the run, with strong offshore winds making it clean but the swell dropping. Not recommended.

So, the standout days for a good, clean, not-too-big session are Monday morning August 17th, and the absolute gem is Thursday afternoon August 27th. For the big-wave crew, Saturday morning August 22nd and Sunday morning August 30th are your windows, but be smart.

Rusty.

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