Tandjung-Lefts Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s break down the same outlook but in feet, miles per hour, and Fahrenheit, because I know some of you think that way.

So, Tandjung-Lefts is on the menu, but don’t expect a feast. The whole 16-day stretch is plagued by cross-onshore winds, mostly from the ESE to SE. That means chop, bump, and not much in the way of clean faces.

Water temp is about 80°F, which is right on the money for this time of year.

The first chance to paddle out is Sunday afternoon, August 16th. Swell is 6 feet from the SSW, with a very long 15-second period. That’s proper groundswell, with moderate energy (1494). The wind is onshore at 9 mph, so it’ll be a bit bumpy, but if you’re jonesing, it’s there.

Monday the 17th is a write-off in the morning – poor conditions. The afternoon is marginal with 4 feet of swell, still cross-on.

Tuesday the 18th has a better pulse: 6 feet in the afternoon with a 16-second period and energy of 1906. But again, the wind is cross-on, so it’s not glassy. The morning is also marginal.

Wednesday the 19th sees the swell jump to 7 feet in the morning and 8 feet in the afternoon. Period hits 18 seconds – that’s a long groundswell. Combined energy is over 3000. This is for advanced surfers only, especially with the cross-on wind. It’ll be powerful but messy.

Thursday the 20th peaks at 8 feet in the morning. That’s big wave territory, and with the cross-on wind at 12 mph and moderate chop, you better be on your game. Energy is 3181.

From Friday the 21st onward, things go downhill fast. Friday morning is a total zero. The next week is filled with marginal and poor ratings, with swell dropping to 4-5 feet, periods shortening, and the wind staying cross-on. Rain showers hit on the 27th.

The one faint glimmer is Saturday afternoon, August 29th. Only 4 feet of swell, but with a 19-second period – that’s a long-interval groundswell. The wind is lighter at 9 mph, and the combined energy is 1668. It’s still cross-on, but it’s the best-looking window in the whole run. Then Monday the 31st sees the swell build back to 7-7 feet with 16-second periods and energy over 2600, but again, the cross-on wind messes it up.

Best Bet? There’s no classic day here. If I had to pick, Tuesday afternoon, August 18th, with 6 feet of long-period SSW groundswell, or that Saturday the 29th with the 19-second period and lighter wind. For the experienced crew at this reef, the 18th might give you a few grunty ones, but don’t expect silky walls.

That’s the truth of it. Not much to write home about.

Rusty.

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