Seaside Cove Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks. I’ll be straight with you – this stretch is a tough one. We’ve got a real dry spell coming up, so if you’re keen to get wet, you’ll have to pick your moments carefully.

The strongest surf we see through the whole period is a late-arriving pulse of energy, but it’s plagued by onshore winds and poor conditions. The real standout is a narrow window on the morning of Sunday, August 9th. That’s the one to circle on the calendar. Otherwise, prepare for a lot of flat, choppy, or just plain messy water.

Let's break it down. We start off with nothing much. Thursday the 30th of July through to Saturday the 1st of August is a write-off at Seaside Cove (beach reef and point). We’re looking at tiny 2ft to 3ft swell from the SW and W, with a long period around 16 seconds, but it’s all cross-on or onshore winds. The water is sitting at 60°, which is about average for the time of year. The energy is weak, with values around 251 (weak energy). The swell is just too small and the wind is junk.

Sunday the 2nd of August offers a little more size, with 5ft swell from the W, but the period drops to a short 9 seconds. The morning session has a chance with a light 6 mph cross-on breeze, but the energy is still only moderate (368). The afternoon sees the wind pick up to 12 mph from the NNW, making it messy and choppy. Not worth it.

Monday the 3rd through Wednesday the 5th of August is a proper gap of no real surf. The swell is mostly 3ft to 4ft with short periods (7-8 seconds), and the wind is either cross or cross-on, keeping things grovelly. The energy is weak to moderate (122-200). This is beach-break territory, and the short period means the waves will be crumbly and weak. For a kite surfer, the steady cross-shore breeze might be interesting, but for a paddle surfer, it’s a no-go.

Thursday the 6th of August sees a jump in size to 5ft-6ft from the WNW, with a period of 9 seconds. The combined energy is now moderate to strong (527 in the morning). The problem is the wind – it’s either a light cross-on or a gentle cross-on, which just won’t clean it up. The wave comment is “poor” or “marginal.” It’s frustrating because there’s power, but it’s not rideable.

Now, here’s the best call. Sunday, August 9th, morning. The swell is 6ft from the WNW, period 10 seconds, with a combined energy of 536 (strong wave energy). The wind is a light onshore from the WNW at 6 mph. While it’s onshore, it’s light, and the swell size is solid. This is the only time the forecast score hits a 2 out of 10, which tells you it’s the best of a bad bunch. The break is exposed and consistent, so it will be working. That 6ft is getting into the “too big for beginners” territory, but for a competent surfer, it’s the best shot at a wave all week. The period is just under the 11-second mark, so it’s not a classic groundswell, but it’s got enough push for a decent wall.

The rest of the second week is a bit of a blur. Monday the 10th of August is back to 4ft and poor. Tuesday the 11th of August shows a tiny 2ft swell with a very long 16-second period, but the energy is moderate (283) and the wind is cross-on. That long period at a beach break is a hassle – it’ll break straight. Wednesday the 12th of August morning has a brief moment of 2ft with a long period (15 seconds) and light cross-shore wind, but it’s small. The afternoon jumps to 5ft with a short 8-second period and a cross-on breeze, making it messy again. The energy is very strong (658), but with those winds, it’s a washing machine. The final days, the 13th and 14th, are all small (2ft-2ft) and cross-shore or cross-on, with no real quality.

So, the bottom line: the whole 16-day window is a challenging stretch. The only real standout is the morning of Sunday, August 9th, at Seaside Cove. It’s not perfect, but it’s the only time the size and wind align enough to give you a proper ride. For the rest, leave the board in the car and wait for the next system.

Rusty.

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