Tandjung-Lefts Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, surfers, it's Rusty here with a look at the Tandjung-Lefts stretch over the next couple of weeks. Let's be real, this isn't a classic run. The core issue is a persistent cross-onshore wind that's putting a chop on almost everything, making it tough to get a clean wave. The water temp is sitting at 80°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first real glimmer of hope shows up on the morning of Thursday, 27 August. We've got a 4ft SSW groundswell rolling in with a very long 16-second period, and the combined energy is moderate at 1126. The wind is a light ESE at 9 mph, which is actually offshore at this spot. That's a positive, but the forecast flags it as marginal, so it's not a home run. The afternoon sees the swell drop slightly to 3ft, but the period jumps to a massive 20 seconds, giving a combined energy of 1531. The wind, however, swings to a cross-on SE, so it'll get a bit bumpy. Friday the 28th sees a bigger jump in size, with 8ft SSW swell on the morning, but that same cross-on wind keeps things messy. The energy is strong at 3043, but the quality is just not there.

Saturday the 29th offers a bit of a reprieve. The morning has a 6ft SSW swell with a 15-second period and a light breeze from the SSE at 6 mph. It's still cross-on, but the lighter wind means smaller ripples, making it the most workable window of the first week. After that, it's a long stretch of poor to marginal conditions all the way through to the 9th of September. The wind stays stubbornly cross-on, and the swell quality drops off. This is a solid week-plus of waiting it out.

Right, now for the second week. Things start to look a little more promising. On Thursday morning, 10 September, we see a 7ft SSW swell with a 16-second period, pushing combined energy to a strong 2566. The wind is a mere 3 mph from the SSE. It's still cross-on, but with that light air, it's the cleanest we've seen in a long time. The afternoon bumps up to 8ft, but the wind picks up slightly. This is the standout of the whole forecast. It's a powerful, long-period groundswell hitting a reef, and with almost no wind, the surface should be glassy. Keep in mind, at 8ft, this is getting into expert-only territory at a reef break. Friday the 11th is a bit of a comedown but still offers light winds and a 6-6ft SSW swell, which is a solid backup.

So, to wrap it up, the first 10 days are a write-off if you're looking for quality. The best bet is to pencil in Thursday, 10 September, for the best chance at some clean, powerful waves, but it's a long-range call, so keep your fingers crossed. If you're just looking for a paddle, the first week has plenty of waves, but they'll be a battle.

Rusty.

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