Tankers Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at the surf in the Tankers region. The next 16 days are a mixed bag, and I’ll be straight with you – there are a couple of windows worth getting excited about, but you’ll need patience. Swell energy ranges from moderate (e.g. 522) up to very strong (e.g. 1314), but the wind is often the spoiler here.

Starting off on Sunday 30 August morning, we’ve got a 5 ft swell from the east, period 7 seconds – short period, windswell type stuff. Combined swell energy is 522 (moderate), but the wind is blasting 22 mph from the ENE, cross-off, which keeps the surface clean. The quality is listed as marginal, so it’s not a total write-off, but a bit average. For a beginner reef break like Tankers, 5 ft is probably at the upper end of comfortable, so maybe think of it as a challenging day for learning. By afternoon, the swell drops to 5 ft, same wind, and conditions are poor – avoid that.

Monday 31 August and Tuesday 01 September see the swell drop to 2 ft but with a very long period of 15 to 18 seconds and energy around 349 to 475. That’s groundswell, and at a reef, that long period can produce nice shaped waves, but the size is tiny. Wind stays 19 to 22 mph from the ENE, cross-off, so clean but small. The rating is zero across the board – not worth paddling out for.

Wednesday 02 September morning shows a bit more life: 3 ft from the south, 16 second period, combined energy of 602 (moderate). Still cross-off wind from ENE at 12 mph, and the forecast says marginal – could be a sneaky session if you’re keen on waist-high waves with good shape. Crowds at Tankers are “often,” so expect company if the waves look rideable. The water temperature anomaly is not given, but we can assume it’s about average for this time of year.

The big story arrives Friday 04 September through Saturday 05 September. Friday morning sees 6 ft from the east, period 7 seconds, combined energy 676 (moderate to strong). But the wind is 22 mph from ENE, cross-off – still clean but strong. By Saturday morning 05 September, the swell jumps to 10 ft from the east, period 8 seconds, and combined energy rockets to 1314 – that’s strong to very strong wave energy. However, the wind is 31 mph from ENE, cross-off. For Tankers, a reef break, 10 ft is only for experts. Beginners should stay well away. The surf quality is still rated poor, and with that wind, it’s going to be messy even if clean. This setup actually looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing given the strong wind and decent swell.

Sunday 06 September to Monday 07 September, the swell eases to 6 ft from the south (10 second period) on Sunday morning, then 5 ft afternoon, but the wind swings more cross and cross-off, with fresh breezes. Combined energy around 610 to 779, but still poor to marginal. Not the best.

Tuesday 08 September through Wednesday 09 September has swell around 3 ft to 4 ft, long period (14 to 17 seconds), and energy in the 346 to 568 range. Wind is lighter on Wednesday morning at just 6 mph from the ESE – that’s a light cross breeze, but the swell is tiny. Marginal conditions at best.

Thursday 10 September sees rain showers and onshore wind from SSE at 12 mph – that’s a no-go with 2 ft swell.

The standout pick? Look to Monday 14 September morning. Swell is only 2 ft but from the southwest with a very long period of 21 seconds – that’s a proper groundswell, and a reef like Tankers can turn that ankle-high energy into fun, glassy lines. Combined energy is 419 (moderate). Wind is light from ENE at 6 mph, cross-off, and the forecast says “expect good surf conditions.” That’s the one to circle. It’s 16 days out, so treat it as promising but not locked in.

Signing off, Rusty.

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