Tamarin Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty, and I’ve got the lowdown on what’s cooking for Tamarin Bay over the next couple of weeks. Grab a coffee, because we’ve got a bit of a mixed bag to get through.

Right off the bat, things are quiet. Monday the 18th is a no-go – we’ve got a solid 4ft south swell, but a howling cross-breeze out of the east at 16 mph is just chopping it to bits. Not worth paddling out for. The wave energy is moderate at 654, but the conditions are poor. Tuesday the 19th morning is even smaller, with a weak 1ft swell (energy a paltry 66), so you’re not missing anything.

The first real window opens up on Wednesday the 19th afternoon. We get a clean 3ft south swell with light cross-offshore winds from the ESE at 6 mph. The energy picks up to 328, and the water is sitting at a comfortable 76°, which is a touch warmer than average for this time of year. It’s not huge, but it’s clean and rideable for the advanced crew that knows this reef.

Thursday the 20th morning offers a small 3ft, but by the afternoon, we get a clean 2ft swell with a very long 17-second period from the southwest. That’s groundswell energy at 306, and while it’s small, that long period will wrap in nicely at Tamarin Bay, offering some nicely shaped, clean lines.

Now, hold on to your board. The standout window is shaping up for Saturday the 22nd. Both the morning and afternoon are looking excellent. We’re talking a clean 5ft swell from the southwest, with light cross-offshore winds. The wave energy is a strong 708 in the morning and jumps to 770 in the afternoon. This is a solid, clean, powerful swell for the advanced surfers, and the crowd factor is something to keep in mind – Tamarin Bay can get busy.

Sunday the 23rd sees the swell pump up to 8ft in the morning, but the wind swings east at 12 mph, creating a messy cross-chop. The energy is massive at 2230, but the quality isn’t there. This one is marginal, more of a challenge than a pleasure.

The real heavy hitters arrive later. Wednesday the 26th is for the experts only. The morning brings a 10ft SSW swell with a very long 15-second period, clean conditions, and an energy reading of 3451. That’s serious power. The afternoon turns offshore with a 16 mph wind from the SSE, keeping the 8ft swell clean. This is excellent, heavy surf.

Things go downhill fast after that. From Thursday the 27th onwards, we get hammered by gale-force winds (31 mph on Thursday morning!), which makes even the big 10ft swell on the 28th and 29th a dangerous, blown-out mess. The energy is astronomical (over 3500 on the 27th and 28th), but with those winds, it’s a no-go for paddle surfing. A kite might have a field day, but not us.

The last week of August and into September fades away. By the 31st, we’re back to small, clean but weak swells, and the energy drops below 500. It’s a flat end to the outlook.

So, to wrap it up: your best bets are Saturday the 22nd for the best combo of size and clean conditions, and Wednesday the 26th for the big, expert-only groundswell. Don’t bother with the rest of the second week unless you’re after a windy mess.

- Rusty

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