Tandjung-Lefts Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Tandjung-Lefts. This is the only spot the forecast covers, and it’s a solid, consistent reef break that only wants advanced surfers. We’ve got a long 16-day window ahead, and honestly, it’s a bit of a mixed bag—there’s plenty of swell, but the wind just won’t play nice. The water’s sitting at a warm 79.5°, which is just about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Right off the bat, Thursday the 13th kicks off with a big southerly groundswell pushing 8.2 ft with a very long 17-second period, and the combined energy is through the roof at 3463. That’s a heavy, powerful swell. But here’s the catch: it’s coming from the south and the optimum direction for this break is south, so the direction is spot on. Problem is, we’ve got a cross-onshore wind at 16 mph, and it’s just choppy and messy. Thursday afternoon eases slightly to 8.2 ft but the wind drops to 9 mph, though still cross-onshore and fairly choppy. The wave comment says “marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions,” so it’s not a total write-off, but it’s far from clean. I’d honestly say Thursday is a day to watch rather than paddle.

Friday the 14th sees the swell drop a little to 7.2 ft in the morning, period still long at 16 seconds, but again cross-onshore SE wind at 9 mph. Afternoon drops to 6.6 ft. It’s still marginal. Same story rolls into Saturday the 15th—7.2 ft, 17-second period, cross-onshore wind. The energy is strong at 2755, but the wind is just ruining the surface. I’m getting frustrated just looking at it.

Sunday the 16th is a bit better: swell drops to 6.6 ft in the morning, then 5.9 ft in the afternoon, period still a decent 15-16 seconds. Wind remains cross-onshore at 9 mph. It’s still “fairly choppy” and marginal. You could get a wave, but it won’t be pretty.

Now, Monday the 17th the swell has backed off to 4.9 ft and the period shortens to 14 seconds. The combined energy is 922—still decent but nothing crazy. The wind picks back up to 12 mph in the morning, and we’re back to “poor surf conditions.” Not great.

The week continues with a bit of a lift around Wednesday the 19th, where the swell bumps back up to 6.9 ft in the morning, then 7.5 ft in the afternoon, with a 18-second period—that’s a proper groundswell. Energy is strong at 2873 and 3305. But the cross-onshore wind is still there, 9 mph, keeping it “fairly choppy.” It’s the best size and period of the whole period, but the wind is the killer. If that wind swung offshore, this would be absolute gold. As it is, it’s just teasing us.

Thursday the 20th holds 8.2 ft in the morning, 7.9 ft in the afternoon, 16-second period. Cross-onshore wind again. I’m starting to sound like a broken record, sorry.

Then we hit a bit of a lull. Friday the 21st and Saturday the 22nd still have 5.9 ft to 7.2 ft swell, but the wind is 12-16 mph and the conditions are “moderate cross-onshore and choppy” or “poor.” It’s looking more like a kite-surfing setup than a surf one. The energy is still moderate to strong, but without clean surfaces, it’s not for us.

From Sunday the 23rd onwards, the swell drops below 6.6 ft, and things get really quiet. Monday the 24th, the wind finally goes “on” in the afternoon, which is interesting—but the swell is only 5.6 ft from the SSW with a 14-second period, and the wave comment says “poor surf conditions.” Tuesday the 25th, 4.9 ft, 13-second period, still cross-onshore. Wednesday the 26th morning has a tiny 3.3 ft swell but with a long 18-second period—that’s a groundswell but barely any size. Afternoon picks up to 5.6 ft with 17 seconds, but again, cross-onshore. The last few days, Thursday and Friday the 27th and 28th, the swell hovers around 4.9 ft to 6.6 ft, but it’s all “poor surf conditions” and choppy.

So, overall, there is a standout period—August 19th and 20th—with that big, long-period 7.5 ft to 8.2 ft groundswell from the

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