Tamarin Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. The only spot worth talking about here is Tamarin Bay, a reef-break for the advanced crew. It’s inconsistent according to the notes, but when it turns on, it turns on. Water temp is sitting at 25° which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you might get away with a shorty or just a rashie if you’re tough.

The first half of the week is pretty sleepy. Wednesday morning the 19th is tiny, only 1 ft of SW swell and a weak energy reading of 66, with a cross-shore breeze making things messy. By Wednesday afternoon though, the wind swings cross-offshore and the swell bumps to 3 ft from the S, energy climbs to 328, and the wave comment says “expect good surf conditions.” That’s your first real window. Thursday morning the 20th drops back to 1 ft and 61 energy, but Thursday afternoon sees 2 ft from the SW with a period of 17 seconds and 330 energy, and the wind is cross-off again. Clean little waves for someone who doesn’t need much.

Friday the 21st is a bit all over the place – morning has 3 ft SW swell (418 energy) but cross-shore wind, and the surf is marginal at best. Friday afternoon is 4 ft but still cross-shore, and the energy bumps to 491 but the quality is poor. Saturday morning the 22nd has 5 ft SW swell (708 energy) with a light cross-shore, still marginal. But Saturday afternoon… that’s where it starts to get interesting. Glassy conditions, 5 ft of SSW swell, period 14 seconds, energy 857, and the wave comment says “expect very good surf conditions.” You’ll want to be out there.

Sunday the 23rd brings the first real size. Morning has 7 ft SSW swell, period 15 seconds, energy 2015, but it’s cross-shore and marginal. Sunday afternoon though – glassy, 7 ft SSW, period 14 seconds, energy 1997, and the comment says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” That’s a standout. The swell direction is SSW which matches the optimum SW direction very closely, and with glassy conditions you’re looking at clean, powerful waves. This is the best on offer in the first week.

Monday the 24th stays solid with 8 ft SSW swell both morning and afternoon, energy over 2500, but the wind is cross-shore and the surf is marginal. Still, for experienced surfers, there’s plenty of power. Tuesday the 25th drops slightly to 7 ft and 6 ft, with cross-shore winds, still marginal.

Wednesday the 26th morning is glassy with 5 ft SSW swell, energy 1110, and “expect very good surf conditions.” That’s a nice little window. Wednesday afternoon sees 4 ft SSW swell but with a very long period of 19 seconds, energy 1750, and the wave comment says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” That long-period groundswell will be best at the reef, not breaking too straight.

Now, late in the run, around Thursday the 27th, things get serious. Thursday morning has 7 ft SSW swell, 21-second period, energy 6814, but the wind is a strong 40 km/h cross-offshore – clean but powerful. Thursday afternoon bumps to 13 ft SSW, 19 seconds, energy 11402, and the comment says “marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions” but with a score of 6. That’s huge, and it’s only for experts. Friday the 28th stays big with 13 ft SSW, 17-16 second period, energy over 10000, and fresh cross-off winds. The size and energy are massive, but it’s a long way out so keep an eye on the forecasts.

After that, the swell slowly fades through the end of August and into September, with dropping energy and size, and the wind stays cross-offshore but picks up. By the 2nd of September, it’s back to small and weak.

So, the standout windows are Sunday afternoon the 23rd and Wednesday afternoon the 26th for the best combination of size, clean conditions, and quality. The big late-month swell on the 27th and 28th is a monster for experts only, but it’s a long-range call so don’t lock it in yet.

Rusty.

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