Salamumu Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Rusty here. Let’s call it like it is: this next 16 days for Salamumu is a total write-off. We’ve got no decent surf on the cards at all, and I’m not going to sugarcoat it. From the 29th of August right through to the 13th of September, we’re looking at a persistent ESE wind, blowing fresh and strong, making a mess of everything. The ocean’s going to be lumpy, choppy, and cross-chopped to bits. You won’t want to be out there for any of it.

The water’s sitting at about 81°, which is about normal for this time of year, so that’s not the issue. The issue is the wind, and the fact that it doesn’t let up.

For the first few days, through the 3rd, the swell is small, between 2ft and 3ft, with periods in the 8 to 13 second range. The energy is weak to moderate (368 to 930), but it's all being chopped up by that fresh breeze. It’s just not clean.

Friday the 4th shows a bit more size at 4ft, and the energy picks up to a moderate 1234, but the wind is still cross-shore and messy. It’s a marginal call for the groms who are desperate, but nothing to write home about.

Then the bigger pulse arrives on Saturday the 5th. We’re looking at 6ft of S swell with a 17-second period—that’s real groundswell energy, and the combined reading is a strong 2519. But again, that ESE wind is blowing at 30 km/h, creating a fresh cross-shore that will ruin any chance of a clean wave. The long period might be good for a reef, but not with that wind on it. Still marginal. The 6th drops to 5ft, and the wind turns cross-onshore, making it worse.

The week after, from the 7th to the 13th, is a repeat performance. We get pulses up to 6ft on the 12th, with a strong energy reading of 2150, but the wind stays stuck in that ESE mode, often cross-onshore. The swell direction shifts from S to SW, with periods hanging around 14 to 16 seconds. The energy’s there, but it’s all going to be blown-out, messy surf. With that much wind and chop, it honestly looks more like a kiteboarding day than a surfing day.

So, to put it plainly: there are no good surf options in this 16-day window. This is a blank stretch, and for this area, that’s not unusual. The swell shows up, but the wind just kills it. Things can change, but right now, I’d find something else to do. Keep the board in the car, but don’t expect to use it.

Rusty.

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