Tandjung-Lefts Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, this is Rusty. Let’s have a good hard look at the outlook for Tandjung-Lefts.

Right now, we’re in a bit of a flat and wonky spell. From this Sunday, 2 August, through to about Saturday, 8 August, things are just not clicking. The swell is there—mostly around 5 ft to 8 ft from the SSW, with long period groundswell (over 15 seconds)—but the wind is a problem. It’s blowing cross-onshore from the ESE to SE, at 9–19 mph, making conditions choppy and pretty average. The combined wave energy through this stretch ranges from moderate to strong (1976 up to 3206), so there’s power, but it’s messy power.

The first real bright spot, and the standout for this whole outlook, actually falls on Monday, 10 August, in the afternoon. The swell drops slightly to 8 ft from the SSW, period around 17 seconds—some proper groundswell. The wind goes cross-shore from the SSE at just 9 mph, bringing gentle cross-shore conditions with only slight cross-chop. The combined energy hits 3274, strong but manageable. This reef break here, Tandjung-Lefts, is fairly exposed to the SSW and the optimum direction is from the S, so that swell angle is nice and lined up. Water temp sits at 80°, about normal for this time of year. Keep in mind though, this spot is for advanced surfers only, and it’s consistent but crowds are sometimes around. Still, that afternoon window on the 10th is the pick of the bunch.

After that, Tuesday, 11 August is also decent. Morning has 7 ft SSW swell with a light breeze from the SE at 6 mph, so light cross-onshore wind with just small ripples. The afternoon gets 7 ft and cross-shore winds again from the SSE at 9 mph, giving gentle cross-shore chop. Energy stays strong (2285–2410). Not as clean as Monday arvo, but still better than the early garbage.

Things then fade a bit from Wednesday 12 August onward, with swell dropping to 3–6 ft and the wind staying cross-onshore or turning to showers and stronger winds toward the end of the 16 days. The wave energy drops to moderate range (1004–1408). By the second week, there’s occasional 8 ft swell on Saturday 15 August, but it’s cross-onshore and choppy, so not one to get too excited about.

So overall: the early period is poor, but Monday 10 August afternoon is the one to aim for—cleaner, powerful groundswell, and the wind playing ball. Tuesday 11 August is a decent backup. The rest is a write-off until maybe the following weekend, but that’s a long way off and less certain.

Keep an eye on the sky, and paddle when it’s right.

Rusty.

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