Suicide Cliffs Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it.

The next 16 days are a real mixed bag. It starts off with a little tease of clean surf, but then we get slapped with a long stretch of junky wind and poor conditions. Patience is going to be the name of the game. If you can pick your windows, there are a couple of proper sessions hiding in there, especially later on.

Wednesday, August 12th kicks things off with some fun, clean surf at Suicide Cliffs. Wave heights are around 4ft from the SW, with a solid 9-second period, and there’s a nice light cross-off breeze. Water temp is sitting at 84°, which is about normal for this time of year. The energy is moderate (334), and it’s super consistent, so it should be a fun one. This is a reef break, and it’s exposed, so it’s picking up that SW swell nicely. Crowds are often a thing here, so just be ready for some company.

Then we hit a lull. From Thursday, August 13th through to the 20th, it’s pretty grim. The wind goes onshore or cross-shore, the waves stay small and weak, and the energy drops off. We’re talking weak to moderate energy readings in the low hundreds. It’s going to be a frustrating week. There are a few glassy moments on the 15th, but the swell is just so small it’s not worth the paddle.

Thursday, August 21st is when it starts to get interesting again. The swell jumps to a solid 7ft, but it’s coming from the SSE with a short, choppy 8-second period. It’s also straight onshore. The energy is strong (556), but it’s going to be a messy, powerful mess. Not great for a paddle, maybe more of a spectator day or something for the bodyboarders who don’t mind the punishment.

The standout is Saturday, August 22nd in the morning. We get a clean 6ft from the SSE with a cross-off breeze and a good 8-second period. The energy is strong (405). This is our best bet for a proper surf in this window. It won’t be perfect, but it’ll be fun and clean. The direction is a bit south of the SW optimum, but it’s workable.

Sunday, August 23rd is also worth a look. We get a moderate offshore breeze in the morning, which will keep things clean. The swell drops a bit to 4ft from the S, but with a clean offshore wind, it’ll be a fun, easy day. Good for getting some turns in without getting worked.

Then, the wheels come off. Monday, August 24th brings a storm. We’re talking 59 mph storm-force winds and a total mess. The surf is tiny and blown out. It’s a serious write-off. The wind stays strong for the next few days, with gale-force conditions on the Monday afternoon. This is not paddle-surfing weather.

The final few days, from the 25th to the 27th, show the swell trying to build back up, but the wind is still a problem. By Thursday, August 27th, we see a nice long-period SW swell (11 seconds) and the wind finally drops off. The morning looks clean with only a light south wind, but it’s still onshore. The afternoon looks much better, with light ESE cross-shore winds and the swell building to 5ft. The energy is strong (575). It’s promising, but it’s far out, so I’d call that one a promising maybe. We’ll have to see how it develops.

Overall, don’t get your hopes up for the first week, but keep an eye on the 22nd as your best bet. If you can wait, the period around the 27th looks promising for a proper swell. Stay patient, this coast always delivers eventually.

Rusty.

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