Tamarin Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab a coffee and listen close, ’cause I’m lookin’ at the next couple weeks for Tamarin Bay and it’s a proper mixed bag. A real test of patience, this one. It’s an advanced reef break that’s inconsistent, so we’re chasing a specific recipe. The swell direction that really gets it going is straight out of the southwest.

We’re starting off with a bit of a flat spell. For the first several days, through the start of August, it’s just small, weak swell with a strong cross or cross-off wind. You’ll see 2ft to 3ft of swell, but the energy is low – that's values between 200 and 360 – and the wave comment is almost always "poor surf conditions." Not worth paddlin’ out. Tuesday the 5th, Wednesday the 6th, all of that first week… just leave your board in the car.

Things get a little more interesting from Saturday the 8th, but it’s still only a "marginal" call. We start seeing a little bump in size, up to 4ft on the 8th, with a lovely long period of 18 seconds from the SSW. The energy jumps to over 900, which is a solid sign, but the wind is still cross-off and the quality isn't there yet. This pattern of teasing us continues for days. The wind stays mostly cross or cross-off, keeping a bit of texture on the face, and the wave energy just can't seem to break through into the "good" zone.

Now, hold on to your leash, because the real promise is at the very tail end. The standout window opens on Saturday the 15th. That morning, the swell drops a touch to 3ft, but the period explodes to 20 seconds from the SW. That’s proper long-period groundswell. The combined energy hits 1042, so there’s some proper grunt in the water. That afternoon it pushes up to 4ft at 19 seconds, energy at 1273. The wind is cross or cross-off, but the potential is there.

But the absolute highlight is the Monday the 17th. We’re talking a forecast of "expect very good surf conditions" with a score of 3. That morning you’ve got 4ft from the SSW at 16 seconds, and a light 10 km/h cross-off breeze from the ESE. Clean lines. The energy is a solid 749. That afternoon is even better: 4ft, 15 seconds, straight from the south, energy surges to 1191, still with that light cross-off wind. The sets will be clean and well-shaped.

Remember, with that long-period swell at a beach break, it can get a bit straight, but Tamarin is a reef. Over 5ft and it starts getting spicy for the average punter, and at this size and consistency, it's definitely advanced territory. The crowds are usually a factor here, so be ready for company. That Monday the 17th morning and afternoon is your best shot. The conditions after that just fade away back into small and messy.

So, a long wait, a lot of frustration, but one sweet, sweet payoff on that second Monday. Be patient, locals.

- Rusty

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