Tandjung-Lefts Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s coming up at Tandjung-Lefts for the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a bit of a waiting game on our hands, to be honest. The first week is pretty average with onshore or cross-onshore winds messing up what could be some decent sized SSW groundswell. The water temp is about normal for this time of year, no anomalies to worry about. This is a consistent, advanced reef break, so when it’s on, it’s on, but we gotta get through the slop first.

Right now, on Friday the 21st and into the weekend, we’re looking at a solid SSW swell around 6 ft to 6 ft, with a long period of 15-17 seconds. That’s proper groundswell energy, but the wind is a cross-onshore from the SE at 9-12 mph, so the wave face is choppy and lumpy. The combined swell energy is moderate to strong (in the 1700 to 2800 range), but the conditions just aren’t letting it shine. This keeps up through Monday the 24th, with similar size and wind. Not a good call for a paddle.

Tuesday the 25th and Wednesday the 26th drop off a bit, with swell around 5 ft and the wind staying cross-onshore, making for poor surf. The energy dips to around 900-1100, still moderate but pretty weak. Not worth the session.

Thursday the 27th is still marginal on the morning, but by the afternoon we see the swell drop to 3 ft, with a very long 20-second period from the SSW. The wind backs off a little to a gentle breeze, but it’s still cross-onshore. The energy picks up to 1605, which is interesting for the period, but the size is tiny.

The real standout window opens Friday the 28th of August. On Friday morning, it all comes together. We’ve got a solid 8 ft SSW swell at 16 seconds, combined energy of 3129, and the wind swings around to the SSW at just 6 mph, giving us a clean, cross-offshore flow. For an advanced reef that likes SSW swell, this is prime. The waves will be well-shaped, powerful, and clean. It’s a session for experienced surfers only at this size. Crowds are possible here, so check if your mates are keen.

That Friday afternoon stays around 8 ft, but the wind goes cross-shore and a bit messy, so the morning is the clear winner.

After that, Saturday the 29th morning still has a little bit of fun 6 ft leftover, but light cross-onshore winds start to creep back in. From Saturday afternoon through the end of the month, we dip back into poor conditions with moderate cross-onshore wind and smaller swell.

Into the first week of September, we see a pulse of size building again. On Tuesday the 1st and Wednesday the 2nd, swell runs around 7 ft at 16-18 seconds, but the wind is stubborn from the SE, 6-12 mph cross-on. The energy is moderate to strong (2000-2600), but the quality is only marginal.

Then, another standout to keep an eye on for Friday the 4th of September. Friday morning looks promising with 8 ft of SSW groundswell at a very long 20 seconds, and combined energy rocketing to 5262 – that’s strong. Wind is light from the SE at 6 mph, cross-onshore but very light, so the surface should have just small wind ripples. It’s still cross-on, but for a reef it could be workable. The afternoon pushes up to 8 ft, a touch too big for anyone but experts, and the wind freshens.

Saturday the 5th stays chunky at 8 ft, but the wind is back to a more noticeable cross-onshore. The long-range stuff is promising but a bit less certain this far out.

So, if you’re a confident surfer, circle Friday the 28th of the morning as your best bet – that cross-off wind will make Tandjung-Lefts feel like a different wave. The second week's highlight is Friday the 4th of September morning for strong, long-period energy, but keep an eye on the wind. It’s a long wait, but there are some proper pulses coming. Stay keen.

Rusty.

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