Shipwrecks Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll be straight with you – this 16-day outlook for Shipwrecks is a tough one. We’re looking at a long stretch of frustrating conditions, with a few small windows where it might just be worth a paddle. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The overall pattern is a persistent, small SSW swell running through the period, but it’s fighting a losing battle against the wind. For most of the first week, from Saturday the 8th right through to the end of the week, it’s onshore or cross-shore breezes ruining any chance of a clean wave. The swell is tiny, mostly 2 ft to 3 ft, with a decent period (13-19 seconds, which is groundswell) but the energy is moderate (values between 265 and 591). The wind is just too messy. You’ll be battling chop and bump, not surfing.

Now, there are two little standouts, and I mean *little*. The best of the whole run is Tuesday afternoon, August 11th. The swell drops to 2 ft from the SSW with a 18-second period (very long period groundswell, so it’ll be a bit straight at the beach, but the reef/point setup here might handle it). The wind swings to a light 6 mph cross-offshore from the west. The energy is moderate (296), and the report says “clean”. That’s your one real shot for a glassy, lined-up wave. The second is Wednesday afternoon, August 12th. The swell is still 2 ft from the SSW, 16-second period, but the wind goes glassy – 3 mph from the SSE. The energy is moderate (294) and it’s described as “glassy”. It’s a tiny window, but if you’re desperate, that’s the one.

After that, it’s a long, grim grind. From Thursday the 13th right through to Sunday the 23rd, it’s the same story: small, messy, onshore winds, and poor surf conditions. The swell sticks around 2 ft to 3 ft, with periods dropping to 13-18 seconds, but the wind is always on it. The energy stays moderate (mostly between 191 and 591). There are a few “marginal” calls (like the 14th, 17th, 18th, 19th) but don’t get your hopes up – the wind is still cross or cross-on, and the breaks look choppy. Honestly, for a fairly consistent spot like Shipwrecks, this is a frustrating run.

The only real standout is that Tuesday afternoon. It’s small, but with the offshore wind and clean conditions, it’s the best you’re gonna get. The Wednesday afternoon glass-off is a very close second. After that, save your petrol and wait for the next swell.

Rusty.

Read more