Shida Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s happening at Shida over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, it’s pretty flat and forgettable. The first proper action doesn’t show up until around Saturday the 22nd when the swell finally starts building and the wind swings offshore. Before that, it’s small, weak, and ordinary. The big standout window is from Monday the 24th into Wednesday the 26th – that’s the best quality, but you need to know what you’re doing.

Tuesday morning the 18th at Shida: 0.9m swell from the ESE, 8-second period – short and weak. Combined energy is 188 (weak). Water temp is 27°, normal for this time of year. Light cross‑off breeze keeps it clean but it’s nothing to get excited about. Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday are even smaller – 0.5-0.7m, still cross‑shore or light cross‑off.

Thursday the 20th is 0.4m from the SE with a little more period (10-11 seconds) but energy is tiny (under 90). Friday the 21st is the first day with offshore wind – light SSW morning, then gentle offshore in the arvo. Swell is 0.6m from the east, 8-second period, with moderate energy (125-128). Clean but small. Saturday the 22nd: morning 0.8m from the east, then afternoon picks up to 0.9m from the ESE, 10-second period, gentle offshore. Energy hits 216 (moderate) and it’s called good surf. Sunday the 23rd is similar – 0.9-0.8m, offshore breezes, energy around 200.

Now for the real stuff. Monday the 24th of August: morning 2.3m swell from the SSE with a long 16-second period – that’s proper groundswell. Combined energy is 2976 (strong). Light cross‑off wind, clean. Afternoon goes 2.5m from the same direction, 16 seconds, energy 3388, gentle offshore. Excellent for experienced surfers – at 2.5m it’s too big for beginners. The long period means better shape but watch out at the beach break; it’ll shine at the point or reef. Crowds are often possible here.

Tuesday the 25th: morning 3.0m from the SSE, 15 seconds, glassy with light wind. Energy 3739 (very strong). File says it’s predicted to be too big for this break – only for the brave. Afternoon drops to 2.5m, still solid. Wednesday the 26th holds at 2-2.5m from the S, 14-15 seconds, cross‑off, energy around 2600. Thursday the 27th backs to 1.7m from the S, 14 seconds, good for experienced surfers. Friday the 28th is 1.6m from the S, 13 seconds, but wind picks up and afternoon gets cross‑shore with chop.

After that it goes downhill. Saturday the 29th has fresh breeze, 2-1.7m from the S, energy dropping. Sunday the 30th is poor – strong breeze, cross‑shore, messy chop, short 7-8 second swell. Monday the 31st sees a huge 4-5.0m SE swell – way too big, energy 16067. Tuesday the 1st of September is 3.5m, then Wednesday the 2nd drops to 2-2.2m with marginal conditions.

The clear standout is Monday the 24th of August through Wednesday the 26th – big, clean, powerful, and for experienced surfers only.

Stay safe, Rusty.

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