St Mikes Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s break down what’s cooking at St Mikes for the next couple weeks. Truth is, the first week is mostly a rough go for paddling, but if you’re willing to wait, there’s a real window for the crew that knows what they’re doing.

Starting off Wednesday the 26th of August, you’ve got a chest-high 5ft south swell rolling in, but it’s cross-on and the conditions are already being called marginal. That south groundswell has an 18-second period, which is proper long, and the combined energy sits at 1395 (moderate). It could hold shape on this reef but it’s not clean. Thursday the 27th the wind cranks up from the NE at 25 mph cross-shore – just forget it. Friday through Sunday the 28th-30th are all messy, lumpy, and dropping fast. Nothing worth your time.

Monday the 31st of August morning is your first real chance. Glassy conditions with a light south breeze, a tiny 3ft south swell (8-second period) and energy down at 122 (weak). It’s small but clean. Not a standout, but if you’re itching, that’s your cleanest window early on. Tuesday the 1st of September fades to nothing – waves barely 1ft – so don’t bother.

Now, Wednesday the 2nd of September morning shows a new pulse: a 7ft SSW groundswell with a 15-second period, and energy jumps to 2111 (moderate-to-strong). But the wind is cross-shore from the south at 16 mph, making it messy. That long period is better for this reef setup, but it’s not clean. Thursday the 3rd looks cleaner: cross-off wind from the southwest, but only a waist-high 4ft south swell. Clean but small.

Friday the 4th of September morning – that’s the real standout. A 10ft SSW swell, period 10 seconds, energy at 1730 (strong). The wind is cross-off from the southwest at 19 mph and the report says “clean.” That’s overhead, powerful, and clean – expert territory, since anything over 8ft is for experienced surfers only. That morning session is the best of the whole run. The afternoon gets even bigger but messier.

Saturday the 5th of September is still huge – 13ft south-southeast swell, energy 4473 (strong-to-very-strong) – but it’s cross-on with light wind, so bumpy. Sunday the 6th is massive but blown out: 16ft, 15-second period south swell, energy over 10,000, but NE wind at 25 mph cross-shore. That’s a washing machine – better for kiting.

Monday the 7th is still oversize for most: 12ft, 13-second period, but cross-winds again. The second week fades into smaller, windy, or messy conditions from Tuesday the 8th through Thursday the 10th of September – all cross-shore chop and dropping size.

So the bottom line: Friday morning the 4th of September is your best bet. Big, clean swell at St Mikes, and if you’re experienced, get out there early before the wind shifts. Monday the 31st morning is your backup if you just want a glassy small-wave session.

Rusty.

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