Tandjung-Lefts Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's coming up for Tandjung-Lefts over the next couple of weeks. It’s a real mixed bag, and honestly, we’re in for a bit of a rough stretch to start.

Right now, on Sunday the 19th, we’ve got a moderate 4 ft to 4 ft SSW swell rolling in, but it’s coming with a solid 16 mph cross-onshore breeze that’s just tearing it up. The water’s sitting at a warm 81°, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year, nothing unusual there. But the surf quality? Poor. That wind is making everything choppy and messy, so don’t expect any real gems this weekend.

This same story just keeps on going. Monday the 20th sees the swell bump up – we’re talking 6 ft to 7 ft from the SSW, with a sweet 16 to 17-second period, so there’s plenty of energy in the water (combined energy hitting 2236). But that relentless 16 mph cross-onshore wind is still blowing, and it’s just trashing any chance of a clean wave. All the way through to the 23rd, the pattern holds: moderate cross-onshore winds and poor conditions. The swell drops and then comes back, but that wind is the enemy here.

There’s a real gap in quality here. We’ve got a solid week of poor surf conditions ahead, day after day. It’s not until Tuesday the 28th afternoon that we finally see a shift. The wave comment becomes “marginal,” and the wind eases slightly to a gentle 9 mph cross-onshore. The swell is only about 3 ft from the SSW, but with a 16-second period, there’s still some life. It’s not a standout, but it’s the first glimmer of something that isn’t total junk.

Now, the real promise – and I’ll say this with some hope – shows up on Friday the 31st of July and into Saturday the 1st of August. On Friday morning, the wind drops right off. We’re looking at a light 3 mph cross-shore breeze, which is nearly glassy. The swell is a clean 4 ft from the SSW, with a very long 18-second period. That’s a proper groundswell, carrying heaps of energy (1392 combined). This is the best we’re going to see in this whole forecast, and it’s still only rated as marginal because of the tide, but with that wind, Tandjung-Lefts (reef break, advanced only, fairly exposed to the S) could fire off some proper lefts. Just be aware, the crowds here are sometimes an issue, and this spot is a reef, so it’s for experienced surfers only. With that long period, the waves will be a bit more lined up and the sets will be spaced out, making the paddle out easier. This Friday morning is the one to circle.

The next morning, Saturday the 1st, still looks promising with similar 5 ft SSW swell and a light 3 mph breeze, but that afternoon the wind picks right back up to 16 mph and spoils the party.

Then into the second week, around Monday the 3rd of August, we see a big jump in size – 10 ft from the SSW with a massive 5946 combined energy. But that big a swell with onshore wind? That’s a washing machine, and at this beach-reef setup, it’s looking more interesting for the kite surfers than anyone with a paddle. Best to sit that one out.

So to sum it up: the first week is mostly a write-off thanks to that cross-onshore wind. Hold out for Friday the 31st of July morning for your best chance at something clean and lined up. It’s not a sure thing, it’s a long-range call, but with that light wind and solid SSW groundswell, it might just be worth the wait.

Stay salty,
Rusty

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