Saltwater Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, mates, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at the next couple of weeks at Saltwater. We’ve got a bit of a slow start, then things start to rumble. Don't get too excited for the first few days; you might be better off getting the fishing gear sorted.

The opening stretch is pretty flat and messy. Wednesday the 5th and Thursday the 6th are a complete write-off. We’re looking at weak swell, maybe 1.5ft to 1.5ft, with light cross-shore winds. It’s going to be full of ripples and just plain poor. Not worth getting wet.

Friday the 7th sees a tiny pulse of energy, pushing the surf up to 2.5ft. The early morning has a clean, cross-offshore breeze from the west, and it’s surfable, but it’s still pretty ordinary. The swell energy is weak (148). It’s an option if you’re desperate, but don’t expect much.

The weekend stays small. Saturday the 8th has a glassy 1.5ft wave in the morning, but it’s weak (88). Sunday the 9th actually sees the swell start to build, but the wind is junk. By the afternoon, a 5ft east-northeast swell rolls in with a 12 mph onshore wind, and the energy is jumping to a moderate (376), but it’s going to be a messy, blown-out pile of slop. Not worth it.

Monday the 10th is when we start seeing some proper shape. A clean, cross-offshore west wind, 15 mph in the morning, with a 5.5ft northeast swell. The energy is getting strong (729). It’s still a bit raw, and the tide might be fussy, but it’s the first real glimmer of quality.

Then we hit a bit of a lull again. Tuesday the 11th and Wednesday the 12th have some clean windows, but the swell drops. Wednesday afternoon has a 2.5ft wave with a moderate offshore wind, but it’s small.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. The real action starts on Friday, August 14th. The morning shows a 6ft south swell, clean with a cross-offshore breeze. The energy is pumping hard (831). This is very good, clean surf. But the standout is Friday afternoon. The swell jumps to 8ft from the south, with a 12-second period. This is proper groundswell. The energy reading is a massive 2727, and conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. This is a big, powerful day at Saltwater. This is the best on offer so far.

Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th keep the fun going with 4.5ft south swells. Clean, glassy conditions, especially Sunday morning with a gentle offshore wind. The energy is moderate to strong (443-552). Great waves for the average surfer.

Monday the 17th brings another spike, with a 6ft south swell in the morning and a big 8ft in the afternoon. The morning is clean, the afternoon gets a bit more energy (876), still good for a session.

Now, if you’ve got your big wave board and the bravery, Tuesday, August 18th is the day. The morning forecast is a 10ft south swell with a 12-second period and glassy conditions. The energy reading is a monstrous 3638. This is serious, powerful, excellent surf for experts only. This is way beyond beginner territory and even too much for most intermediates. If you're not a pro, stay on the beach and watch.

The swell stays solid through Wednesday the 19th, with 8ft waves and clean, glassy mornings. The energy is still well into the thousands (1806). This is another day for experienced surfers only, as the afternoon does get a bit of a cross-onshore chop.

After that big push, the week winds down. Thursday the 20th still has some size, with a 6ft south-southeast swell in the morning, but it’s crossed up by a light onshore wind. The energy is still strong (937), but the quality drops. It’s a bit of a letdown after the preceding days.

So, to sum it up: get through the first week, and the second week is where it all happens. The standout days are Friday the 14th for the first proper taste of quality, and Tuesday the 18th for the real big-wave specialists. Over 8ft, and this spot is left to the experts.

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