Tallebudgera Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you about Tallebudgera. This breakwater wave is an advanced spot, fairly consistent with an optimum swell from the SSE. The water temp is sitting at 69°, which is about 0.7° cooler than usual for this time of year, so nothing wild—just a touch of the usual winter chill.

The outlook starts with a bit of a quiet spell. The first surf worth mentioning is Friday morning, August 7th, but it’s nothing to get excited about. We’ve got a tiny 3ft swell from the ENE with a period of only 7 seconds, and the combined energy is weak (109). The morning is glassy, which is a treat, but the swell is so short-period and small it’s more of a paddle than a surf. That afternoon the wind swings cross-on, and the quality drops right off.

Saturday the 8th is a write-off – a bit more size (3ft to 4ft) but the wind is onshore or cross-on, and the energy picks up a bit (224) but the wind messes it all up. Sunday the 9th is no better, with a moderate cross-shore breeze making a mess. Monday the 10th sees a glimmer—clean offshore winds from the west, but the swell is still only 3ft and the energy is low (95-96). It’s surfable, but only just.

Tuesday the 11th morning is glassy again with 2ft, but the energy is down to 81. You could get a few soft ones if you’re desperate. The rest of the first week is a mixed bag of small, clean-ish conditions and poor onshore slop.

Now, Friday the 14th of August is where things start to look a bit more interesting. The swell jumps to 5ft from the SSE with a period of 10 seconds, and the combined energy hits 417—moderate, solid energy. The wind is light cross-shore, so it’s not perfect, but it’s the first real pulse of the window. The swell is still under 5ft, so it’s not too big for most, but it’s not a standout either.

The real standout? Honestly, there isn’t a true gem in this 16-day window. The strongest swell comes in around the 18th and 19th of August, with 7ft to 7ft from the ESE and S, with periods of 8 seconds and energy hitting 511 to 630—moderate to strong energy. But the wind is cross-shore all the way, and the period is short, so these waves will be lumpy, messy, and a bit of a battle. At 7ft, it’s getting into the too-big-for-beginners range, but the quality is poor. For a breakwater, that cross-shore wind and short period will make for a frustrating session. I’d say this setup looks more like a kite-surfing day than a proper paddle session.

The last few days, from the 20th to the 22nd, drop back to 4ft to 5ft with cross-on winds and choppy conditions. Nothing to plan a trip around.

So, bottom line: the best of a pretty average bunch is the morning of Friday the 14th of August, with that 5ft SSE swell and light cross-shore winds. It’s not a standout, but it’s the only time the swell gets a bit of juice and the wind isn’t completely ruining it. Don’t hold your breath for the bigger stuff later—it’s just too messy.

Rusty.

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