Shida Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, let’s have a look at what’s comin’ down the line for the next couple of weeks. The surf’s gonna be a bit of a mixed bag here, but there’s a couple of real standouts if you time it right.

The first good surf shows up on August 21st, but it’s nothing to write home about. Shida will have some small 1ft swell from the SE, with a bit of an offshore breeze, but the energy is weak and the conditions are just ordinary. The water is sitting at 81°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year.

Things start to get a bit more interesting on Saturday morning, the 22nd. The swell picks up a little to 3ft out of the east, with a nice 11-second period, and the wind is cross-offshore. The combined energy is moderate (201), and the session looks clean. That afternoon, there’s a risk of thunder storms, but the swell bumps up to 3ft (E) with a period of 11 seconds, and the energy jumps to 277. It’s still clean, so it’s a decent afternoon.

Sunday the 23rd is a write-off, with poor conditions and cross-onshore winds messing everything up. 2ft to 2ft, messy, choppy. Not worth paddling out.

Now, here’s the gem. August 24th. Monday morning is going to be absolutely magic. It’s glassy, flat calm, with a 4ft swell from the SSE and a very long period of 19 seconds. The combined energy is massive (1553), and this is for experienced surfers only. That’s a proper groundswell, and at a spot like Shida (which is inconsistent and exposed), this is a real treat. The afternoon stays clean with a 7ft swell from the SSE, 16-second period, and a gentle offshore breeze. Energy is off the charts at 2369. This is the best on offer, no question.

Tuesday the 25th keeps the good times rolling. Morning sees 6ft from the SSE, 13 seconds, clean with cross-offshore winds. The energy is still strong (2055). The afternoon holds 7ft from the south, 14 seconds, with a moderate offshore wind. Energy is 2007. Still excellent, but a notch below Monday.

Wednesday the 26th is still decent, but the size drops. Morning has 4ft from the south, 12 seconds, clean but with moderate energy (848). The afternoon is cleaner, 4ft from the south, 13 seconds, with a moderate offshore breeze. Energy is 788. Good, but not the standout.

The rest of the week into the second week gets a bit more ordinary. There are some punchy swells, but the wind starts to turn onshore or cross-onshore, making things messy. August 31st and September 1st see some bigger swell, 7ft and 7ft, but it’s cross-onshore and lumpy. Not worth it for paddle surfing. That setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than a traditional surf.

September 2nd afternoon has a glimmer of hope with 5ft from the east, 10 seconds, and a light cross-offshore breeze, keeping it clean. Energy is moderate (617). But it’s a brief window.

After that, from September 3rd, it’s a long stretch of poor conditions with cross-onshore winds and messy, choppy surf. The 4th and 5th are especially poor, with small swell and onshore winds. There’s a significant gap from the 3rd through to the 5th with no real recommendations.

So, to wrap it up: the absolute standout is Monday August 24th, with that glassy, long-period groundswell. Tuesday the 25th is also excellent. After that, pick your moments carefully. The break is inconsistent, so when it fires, it’s a real treat. Don’t bother with the last few days of the forecast.

Rusty.

Read more