Tam O'Shanter Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s have a look at what’s on offer. I won’t sugarcoat it – this is a grim run for Tam O’Shanter. We’re looking at a stretch of days where the ocean just doesn’t want to play ball. The first real glimmer of something surfable doesn’t pop up until Friday morning, August 7th, and even then it’s barely a whisper. Before that, from Tuesday afternoon, August 4th, right through to Thursday afternoon, August 6th, it’s all poor surf conditions with tiny, weak swell and messy wind. A real blank spot.

The water temperature is sitting at 55°F with a normal anomaly for the time of year, so at least you won’t need a wetsuit thicker than usual.

On Friday morning, August 7th, we get a sniff of hope with a 1.0ft northwest swell, but the period is a long 18 seconds. That’s a groundswell, but the energy is weak – only 78 for the combined energy of all swells directed here. The wind is light and cross-off, so the surface will be clean. Still, for a point break that rarely breaks, this is a tease. It’s surfable but very ordinary.

The next noteworthy moment comes later, on Monday, August 10th. The swell picks up to 5ft–6ft from the west-northwest, with a period of 7–8 seconds. The combined energy jumps to 348–361, which is moderate. The wind is cross-off, so the surf will be clean. But this is a short-period windswell, so it’ll be a bit crumbly. For a break that’s exposed to the northwest and needs the right direction, this is workable but not a standout.

By Tuesday, August 11th, the swell is up to 8ft from the north-northwest, with a period of 8 seconds and a combined energy of 691–1046. That’s strong to very strong energy. But the wind is gusty, and the conditions are listed as marginal or poor. The size is getting into expert territory, and with cross-shore wind, it’ll be lumpy. This is not a day for the faint of heart.

Honestly, if I had to pick a best on offer, it’s the morning of Monday, August 10th. That 5ft west-northwest swell with cross-off wind gives the best chance of a clean, rideable wave at Tam O’Shanter. The swell direction is close to the optimum northwest, and the energy is moderate. It’s not a day to get excited about, but it’s the most promising window in this whole bleak forecast.

The rest of the period is a write-off. The afternoon of August 11th is marginal, but with that size and wind, it’s risky. After that, we’re looking at a long stretch of small, weak swell and messy wind right through to August 19th. The last few days show glassy conditions but with tiny 0.3ft–1.0ft swell – so flat, basically.

For a spot that rarely breaks, this is a tough run. The consistent theme is poor surf conditions, with a few brief windows of ordinary surf. The only real standout is that Monday morning, August 10th – and even then, it’s a low bar.

Stay patient, lads. This one’s a test.

Rusty

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