Scarborough Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a yarn about what’s coming our way at Scarborough Beach. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, with some real fireworks on the horizon, but we’ve got to wade through a fair bit of chop and wind first.

The first real shot of the period doesn’t get going until the back half of August. We’re looking at a solid, long-period groundswell from the WSW stacking up, but the early part of the week is a write-off. Wednesday the 26th is a mess with a strong onshore wind and lumpy 10ft surf - not worth paddling out for. Thursday the 27th is all cross-shore wind and messy lines. You’re really looking at the weekend of the 29th and 30th for the first taste of decent conditions.

The standout window actually kicks off properly on Saturday the 29th. That morning, we’ve got clean 3ft surf with offshore winds from the ESE. Wave energy is moderate (625). It’s a bit small for shredding, but it’s clean. The real highlight comes Saturday afternoon: the swell bumps up to a clean 5ft, still from the WSW, period holds at a solid 19 seconds, and that same offshore wind keeps things glassy. The energy jumps up to 1511, and it’s a great call for experienced surfers. Sunday the 30th is the absolute pick of the first week. Both morning and afternoon have 7ft of that long-period WSW groundswell, and the wind goes glassy in the afternoon with a period of 17 seconds (energy 2122). That’s serious wave quality, clean faces, and long lines. Expect crowds as it is a fairly consistent spot, but the wait between sets will be worth it.

The swell dips for a few days into the start of September, with a lot of onshore or cross-shore wind spoiling the shape. Wind and tide are often working against us. Not much to write home about until a big pulse arrives.

The monster for the second week is looking very promising, but you need to be an expert. Monday the 7th of September is not for the faint of heart. We’re looking at a massive 15ft to 16ft WSW groundswell, with a period of 19 seconds. The combined energy is huge (14659 to 15662). That is a massive, powerful ocean. It will be too big for beginners and a serious challenge for most. The wind is cross-shore, so it won’t be perfect, but the raw power is undeniable. Tuesday the 8th stays big (10ft to 11ft) but the wind stays tricky. The real highlight of the second week is Thursday the 10th. We’ve got a solid 8ft to 10ft WSW swell (period 18-19 seconds) with a clean offshore wind from the E/ESE. The wave energy is pumping at 4976 to 5830. That is exceptional, clean surf for experts. Points and reefs would be handling that long-period energy better than this beach break, but it will still be a sight to see.

For now, keep the 30th of August and Thursday the 10th of September circled. The water temp is sitting at 64°F, which is about normal for this time of year, a touch under the long-term average but nothing crazy.

Stay safe, and I’ll catch you in the water.

- Rusty

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