Shida Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s break it down. The only break in the game for the next 16 days is Shida. It’s an exposed, inconsistent spot for intermediate-level surfers, and it can get crowded. Water temp is 82°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – you’ll notice the extra warmth.

The window opens Thursday, August 27, with a small, short-period SSE swell around 3ft, period only 10 seconds, and the combined energy is weak (243). Wind is cross-off and light, so conditions are clean. It’s tiny but rideable on a longboard or foil. That afternoon, the swell switches to a 2ft easterly with a better 13-second period, energy up a bit (287), and light westerly wind keeps it clean. Thursday morning is the pick of the first few days.

Friday the 28th starts messy – a cross-on wind with a weak 2ft easterly swell, not great. But Friday afternoon cleans up: a 3ft, 8-second period SSW swell, light cross-off wind, and clean conditions. It’s not epic, but it’s surfable.

Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th are poor. Small 2-2ft easterly swell with onshore or cross winds and low energy (144 down to 99). Sunday afternoon sees a brief glassy moment, 2ft and 11-second period, but it’s barely surfable.

Monday and Tuesday (Aug 31 – Sep 1) are a washout – poor conditions, onshore wind, messy chop. The swell bumps up a little to 3ft on Tuesday but the wind is cross or cross-on, making it ugly.

Wednesday September 2 is a turning point. Morning brings a 3ft southerly swell, 11-second period, moderate offshore wind, clean conditions, and moderate energy (479). That’s a solid session for the intermediate surfer. The afternoon sees 4ft, 10-second period, fresh offshore wind, but the energy is still good (473). Wind is a bit stiffer but still clean.

Thursday September 3 gets strong offshore wind (25 mph) with 4ft southerly swell. It’s clean but that wind is so strong it’s hard to paddle into. The energy drops a bit (410). This is for the experienced crew.

Friday September 4 is the standout. The morning shows an 8ft SSE swell, 11-second period, massive energy (1699), and cross-off wind. That’s a big, powerful groundswell. The swell direction is from the SSE, which matches the optimum SE direction for Shida. It’s a big day – not for beginners, only for experienced surfers. The afternoon drops to 8ft, energy still huge (1197), but the wind goes cross with a slight chop.

Saturday September 5 through Monday September 7 are blown out. Onshore winds from the NE, 6ft to 8ft, messy and choppy. Not worth it.

Then comes another big moment: Tuesday September 8. Morning is glassy, dead calm, with a 7ft southerly swell, 11-second period, and energy at 1180. That’s world-class conditions for experienced surfers. The afternoon keeps it going with an 8ft southerly swell, moderate offshore wind, and energy at 1424 – excellent but again for experienced riders only.

Wednesday September 9 and Thursday September 10 see the swell dropping but still significant (5ft to 8ft). Wind is strong offshore on Wednesday, but the period drops to 8 seconds on Thursday, making it less powerful. The energy stays moderate to strong (868 to 803). Conditions are clean but choppy from the wind.

Friday September 11 brings a 7ft north-easterly swell, 9-second period, clean cross-off wind, and energy at 1126. It’s a solid end to the forecast, but the swell direction is not ideal for Shida.

Overall, the best windows are September 2 morning, September 4 morning, and September 8. The 8th is the absolute standout: glassy, big, clean, and powerful. Just remember, Shida is inconsistent, so these windows are rare. Make the most of them.

Rusty.

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