Shida Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m looking at the charts for the next couple of weeks. It’s a strange one, so let’s break it down.

The first real action we see is a bit of a slow start. The weekend of the 9th and 10th has some swell, but the wind is messy and the conditions are just average. Nothing to get too excited about just yet. The real standout here is actually the middle of the week, specifically Tuesday, the 11th of August. That’s the one to circle.

Shida is the only spot on the menu, and it’s an inconsistent little wave, so when it comes alive, you have to pay attention. On Tuesday morning, the 11th, we’ve got a solid 7 ft east swell, a 12-second period—that’s proper groundswell, with plenty of energy in the water (1254). The wind is a light cross-offshore breeze, which is going to keep the surface clean. It’s a good size for experienced surfers, with a bit of power. The afternoon gets even better: the wind swings offshore, clean and steady, with the swell dropping just a touch to 6 ft but still holding that 11-second period. The water is sitting around 78°, which is just about normal for this time of year. That Tuesday is the best on offer, no doubt.

From Wednesday the 12th, things start to fade quickly. The swell drops right off, and the wind gets messy with onshore components. There’s a big gap of poor conditions from the 13th through the 15th, with strong onshore winds and rain. It’s not worth paddling out.

Then, from Sunday the 16th of August, the swell really cranks up—10 ft, then 12 ft, then 16 ft on the 18th. That’s a massive amount of energy (2654, 2732, even 8549). But here’s the thing: the forecast keeps saying “too big for this break.” At Shida, that kind of size is just too much; it’s going to be unruly and dangerous. For a spot that’s inconsistent, this is a solid pass unless you’re a very experienced charger looking for a heavy session, and even then, the risk is high.

After that, the swell backs off again. The 19th of August has a nice clean 6 ft morning with offshore winds, but the period is short and the energy is moderate. The end of the run, around the 22nd and 23rd, sees small, long-period groundswells (15-16 seconds), but the size is tiny—1 ft to 3 ft. It’s clean but not worth the drive.

So, to wrap it up: the absolute standout is Tuesday, the 11th of August. That’s your window. After that, it’s a long wait for anything that’s both clean and a good size, and the really big stuff is just too much for this break. Keep your eyes on the forecasts; things can change.

Rusty.

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