Strand (Pipe) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, let’s get into it. The first proper surf window gets going on Thursday the 27th of August. Not a classic start, but things pick up. Water temp is sitting at 59°, which is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual there.

Thursday morning at Strand (Pipe) is a bit average – we’ve got 4ft southerly swell with an 11-second period, but the north wind is making it a bit cross and messy. The swell energy’s moderate at 555. Thursday afternoon goes similar, maybe a touch more swell energy (630) but the wind swings southwest and goes cross-on. Not the best, but you could sneak a few if you’re keen.

Friday the 28th is a beauty of a morning if you can get out. By 9am, the wind drops to glassy – dead calm, that’s clean as a whistle. Swell drops a bit to 3ft from the south, period still solid at 11 seconds. The energy’s moderate (299), but with glassy conditions, the wave shape will be tidy. Afternoon stays clean too, 3ft, cross-off wind from the SSE. That’s a solid little session.

Saturday the 29th morning is clean again with offshore wind from the ESE and a 2ft swell from the southwest – that’s a long period groundswell at 14 seconds. That’s proper energy for a small wave, but at Strand it’s a beach and reef setup, so those long-period swells might stand up nicely on the reef but could close out on the beach. Worth a look. Afternoon gets a bit wet and scrappy with light rain and cross wind.

Sunday the 30th morning is the standout of this first week, no question. We see 5ft from the southwest, 12-second period, combined swell energy at 723 (moderate to strong), and cross-off wind from the southeast. The waves will have some punch and the wind will keep ’em clean. That’s your go-to session early Sunday.

Monday the 31st and Tuesday the 1st of September fade a bit – wind turns onshore or cross, swell gets a little bumpy. Not worth rushing for.

Now, Wednesday the 2nd of September – this one’s for the experienced crew only. The morning has a thumping 10ft southwest swell with a 16-second period, and the combined energy is a massive 4826. That’s strong, deep ocean energy. Wind is light and cross from the south, so it’ll be a beast. If you’re a charger, this is your day. But if you’re not solid on a bigger wave, stay well clear. Afternoon is still 8ft with the same long period, still heavy.

Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th of September drop back in size but get stronger winds – 18 to 22 mph SSE to ESE winds, cross-off but fresh. Swell sits around 5ft to 8ft, period shortens to 8-9 seconds. This setup with strong side-off wind at a beach break starts looking more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. Conditions are cleanish but the wind is full on.

Saturday the 5th of September is a much nicer proposition – 6ft to 7ft swell from the southeast, 7-second period, and offshore wind from the ESE at 6-9 mph. That’s clean, a bit short period but good fun. Sunday the 6th goes glassy with a tiny 2ft left-over swell from the southwest – long period again at 16 seconds, but small. Nice for a longboard if you’re patient.

Monday the 7th is glassy again, 5ft from the southeast, 9 seconds. That’s clean and has a bit of push. A good way to start the week.

From Tuesday the 8th through to Thursday the 10th of September, it gets small and poor – waves drop to 2ft and winds are onshore or cross-on. Not worth paddling out. That’s a quiet stretch of a few days.

Friday the 11th of September picks up a little with 5ft from the south-southwest, period 12-14 seconds, but the wind is cross or cross-on. The energy is moderate to strong (631-725), but the wind holds it back from being a standout. It’s a maybe, but nothing special.

Best on offer: Sunday morning the 30th of August for clean 5ft waves with cross-off wind, and Wednesday the 2nd of September for the big-wave crew hitting that 10ft monster with light wind. Both at Strand (Pipe). If you’re after a glassy morning, Friday the 28th of August with that 3ft is a gem.

Rusty.

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