Tandjung-Lefts Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here, clocking in for the long-range look at Tandjung-Lefts.

We’ve got a solid 16-day window ahead, but don’t get too excited straight away. For the first few days, the wind is going to be a bit of a buzzkill. It’s a persistent cross-onshore breeze from the southeast, which is going to keep things choppy and messy. The water temperature is sitting right around 80°F, which is bang on average for this time of year, so at least you won’t need a steamer.

Let’s start with Monday, August 3rd. The swell is rolling in at 6 ft from the SSW with a long 15-second period, giving it a solid amount of energy. But that cross-on wind from the SE at 6 mph is just enough to put a wrinkle on the face. It’s surfable, but you’ll be working for it. The afternoon glass-off doesn’t happen; the wind picks up to 12 mph, making it even worse.

Tuesday and Wednesday are more of the same story. The swell hangs around 5 ft to 5 ft, still with that long period, but the wind stays stubbornly cross-onshore. It’s not terrible, but it’s not great. The energy is moderate, but the chop is a real downer.

Now, Thursday August 6th sees a bit of a jump in size. The swell bumps up to 6 ft, and the energy climbs into the strong range. But the wind is howling cross-onshore at 16 mph, so it’s going to be a real battle. This is more of a kite-surfing setup than a clean paddle session.

The first real standout window is Friday August 7th through the weekend. The swell builds to 7 ft – 8 ft from the SSW, with a very long period of 16-17 seconds, generating strong energy. The wind is still cross-onshore, but it eases slightly. This is a reef break, so that long-period groundswell will wrap in nicely, but it’s going to be a bit top-to-bottom. This is expert territory at this size – over 7 ft, it’s not for the faint of heart. Expect crowds here, as it’s a consistent spot.

The absolute pick of the campaign is the Monday August 10th afternoon session, and then into Tuesday August 11th. The swell peaks at 8 ft from the SSW, with an incredible 18-second period on Monday afternoon. The energy is off the charts. The wind, while still cross-onshore, drops to a gentle 9 mph, making it the cleanest it’s going to be all week. This is a proper, powerful, long-period groundswell hitting a reef. It’s going to be a sight to see. Tuesday holds similar size and energy, but the wind is a touch more onshore.

After that, the swell drops back into the 6 ft to 7 ft range for a few days, but the wind stays cross-onshore. Then, look out for Thursday August 13th. The swell jumps to 10 ft from the S, with a very long period of 18 seconds. The energy is massive. This is big, raw ocean power. The wind is still cross-onshore, but it’s a gentle breeze in the afternoon. This is strictly for experts. The wave will be thick and heavy on that reef.

The final week, from August 15th onward, the wind actually gets stronger, with fresh breezes up to 19 mph, making conditions poor. The swell drops off, so it’s a bit of a fade-out.

So, to wrap it up: If you’re an expert, circle August 10th afternoon and August 11th for the best mix of size and marginally cleaner conditions. The August 13th swell is massive but for the brave only. The first week is a write-off for clean lines, but there’s plenty of power on offer.

Rusty.

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