Tandjung-Lefts Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s coming up at Tandjung-Lefts. The next 16 days are a bit of a mixed bag, with more cross-onshore breeze than any of us would like. The swell sticks to the SSW direction, which is what this advanced-level reef break likes to see, but the constant cross-onshore wind keeps things choppy for most of the period. The best shot at anything decent comes towards the tail end, but we’ll walk through the whole lot.

The water is sitting at a temperature that’s about average for the time of year here.

From Tuesday the 15th all the way through to the morning of Saturday the 20th, it’s pretty flat out. Waist-to-chest high SSW swell trundles in but it’s blown out by a moderate ESE to SE breeze – moderate cross-onshore and choppy. Not worth paddling for. The combined swell energy sits between 1203 and 1762 (moderate wave energy) but with those poor surf conditions, you’re better off doing something else.

The first glimmer comes Saturday afternoon the 20th. The swell pushes 6 ft from the SSW with a very long 16 second period from the SSW. Still, that SE cross-onshore wind creates a gentle cross-onshore and fairly choppy surface. Combined swell energy of 1762 (moderate wave energy) but the score says it’s marginal – best for advanced surfers only. Crowds are possible here. That long period (over 15 seconds) gives the wave good shape and energy, but at a reef break like Tandjung-Lefts that’s a plus – it’ll hold the line. Not the standout but a step up from the earlier slop.

Sunday the 21st is similar, with 6 ft SSW swell, 14 second period, and that same SE breeze making it fairly choppy. By the afternoon the wind shifts to SSE, turning cross-shore with a slight cross-chop. For a moment it gets cleaner, but still only marginal. Energy sits at 1179 to 1414 (moderate wave energy).

Then we hit a dry patch from Monday the 22nd through Friday the 26th. Swell drops to around 4 ft to 7 ft, but the wind stays cross-onshore from ESE to SSE, keeping the surface choppy or fairly choppy. Combined swell energy ranges from 716 to 2171 (moderate wave energy) but there’s no window of clean conditions. Not the place to be.

Now, here’s the best on offer – the standout of the whole outlook. On Sunday the 27th of September, Tandjung-Lefts sees a solid 10 ft of SSW groundswell with a very long 18 second period hitting the coast. The morning is some clouds with a gentle SE breeze, cross-onshore and fairly choppy, but by the afternoon it turns clear with a gentle SSE breeze. The combined swell energy jumps to 5908 in the morning and 5519 in the afternoon (strong wave energy). That’s a serious amount of juice in the water. The wave comment is still marginal, but with that much energy and a 10 ft SSW swell hitting a reef that loves SSW direction, the shape will be there. Keep in mind – 10 ft is well over 8 ft, so this is experts-only territory. The breeze, while not offshore, is gentle, so the chop won’t be as nasty. This is the session to circle.

Monday the 28th drops back to 8 ft to 7 ft SSW swell with 16 second period, still very long, combined swell energy 2191 to 3127 (strong to very strong wave energy), but again the gentle cross-onshore keeps it from being glassy.

The last couple of days, Tuesday 29th and Wednesday 30th, fade back to 5 ft to 5 ft with shorter 14 to 15 second period, and that cross-onshore breeze returns – not enough to get excited about.

So, the real standout is Sunday the 27th. That big, long-period SSW groundswell brings the energy and the reef will turn it on, but it’s a serious wave and only for the experienced crew. The rest of the period? Your best shots are Saturday the 20th afternoon and maybe Sunday the 21st afternoon, but they’re marginal at best.

Keep an eye on the forecasts – a shift to offshore wind and Tandjung-Lefts could fire more often, but for now, that 27th is the one.

Rusty.

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