Shelley Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, let’s break down what’s coming our way.

We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag ahead. The first few days are pretty slim pickings, with a real quiet spell in the middle of the week. The real standout is going to be that Monday the 17th of August, no question about it. That’s where you want to be pointing the car.

Right now, Sunday the 2nd of August, the water’s sitting at 64°, which is pretty much what you’d expect for this time of year – nothing unusual there. But the surf is messy, with a cross-shore wind and a bit of a chop on the surface. Not worth paddling out for.

Monday the 3rd of August morning is a bit better. Shelley Beach sees a 3 ft swell from the SE, with a gentle cross-offshore breeze keeping things clean. The energy is moderate (233), but it’s small. The afternoon picks up a light offshore wind, but the swell drops to 3 ft. It’s surfable, but it’s not going to get the heart pumping.

Tuesday the 4th of August is a write-off. The swell drops to nothing, down to 1 ft in the morning and 0.7 ft in the afternoon. The wind is all over the place. Don’t bother.

Wednesday the 5th of August is weak. A 1 ft swell in the morning, clean but small, and then the afternoon brings onshore wind and a lumpy 3 ft wave. Not your day.

Thursday the 6th of August morning is the first real glimmer of hope. The wind goes glassy, calm and clean, and there’s a 4 ft swell from the S. The energy is still moderate (197), but it’s a nice window for a quiet session. The afternoon gets ruined by a cross-onshore wind.

Friday the 7th of August morning is another glassy one. The wind is light and the swell is 4 ft from the S, with moderate energy (252). It’s clean and should be fun, but the afternoon turns to rubbish again.

The weekend from Saturday the 8th of August through to Saturday the 15th of August is a long, flat, and windy stretch. The swell barely gets above 3 ft, and when it does, the wind is howling onshore or cross-shore. The energy is low, often under 100, and the conditions are mostly poor. This is a gap you’ll want to sit out.

Now, Sunday the 16th of August is where things start to stir. The morning sees a 6 ft S swell with moderate energy (985), but it’s a bit messy. The afternoon bumps up to 6 ft S, with strong energy (1169), but the onshore wind and questionable tide conditions keep it from being a full go. It’s a marginal call.

But Monday the 17th of August morning – that’s the one. A 5 ft S swell with a very long period of 14 seconds, and the wind goes glassy, dead calm. The energy is strong (1102), and the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. This is a proper groundswell, with long period and plenty of push. It’ll be a bit more powerful, so it’s best for those who know what they’re doing. The incoming swell from the S will wrap in nicely at Shelley Beach, which is exposed to that direction. The wind is perfect, the waves have shape, and the crowds are only sometimes a problem. This is your standout.

The afternoon on Monday the 17th drops off a bit with a cross-onshore breeze and a 4 ft swell, but the morning window is gold.

So, to sum it up: the first few days are small and clean, but the real action is waiting for you on Monday the 17th of August. Get your gear ready for that glassy morning session.

Rusty.

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