Tankers Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. We’ve got a mixed bag on our hands for the Tankers region. Let’s break it down, day by day.

First up, the good news: the water temp is sitting at 81°F, which is about 1°F warmer than usual for this time of year – nothing crazy, just a typical warm summer bath.

The outlook kicks off on Sunday, 2nd August with a bit of a pulse. You’ll see a 6ft swell from the East, but it’s a short-period 8 seconds and the wind is a stiff 22 mph cross-off from the ENE. The combined energy (689) is moderate, but honestly, it’s a bit of a messy one. The vibe is clean, but the swell is short and choppy. This one’s a pass for most.

Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4th are pretty flat. Small waves, poor conditions, and the wind is all over the place. Not worth the paddle.

Now, Wednesday the 5th afternoon… that’s a little moment. The wind drops to dead calm, glassy conditions. The swell is a tiny 2ft from the SW, with a long 15-second period. Combined energy is low (156), but if you’ve got a longboard, the glass will make it feel like a sheet of glass. It’s not a stand-out, but it’s a quiet, clean session.

The rest of that week, from the 6th to the 8th, is a write-off. Small swell, fresh breeze, and the energy numbers are all under 600. Poor surf for paddle surfing.

Things start to look a bit more interesting on the 9th of August. The Sunday afternoon sees a 4ft East swell with an 8-second period, and the wind is a steady 16 mph cross-off. The energy is moderate (448), but it’s still a short-period wind swell. Not a classic, but more size than we’ve seen.

The real standout in this 16-day window? It’s midweek, Wednesday the 12th of August. The morning shows a 4ft swell from the South, with a long 18-second period. Combined energy jumps to 1118 – strong energy. The wind is a fresh 19 mph cross-off from the ENE. It’s a bit lumpy in the morning, but the afternoon cleans up nicely with the same offshore wind and a 4ft South swell at 17 seconds. The energy is still solid (1044). This is a true groundswell – long period, proper shape. For a reef break like Tankers, this is where it’s at. Expect decent, well-shaped waves, and with the consistent rating, you’ll get plenty of them. The crowds are often here, so be prepared to share the peak.

The 13th and 14th of August keep the energy high (over 900) with 4ft to 4ft South swells, but the wind is cranking at 25 mph. The waves are clean, but the strong breeze will make it a battle. This is more for the experienced crew.

By the 15th of August, the swell drops and shifts to a short 8-second East swell at 6ft, with the same strong cross-off wind. Combined energy is still high (962), but the short period means it’s lumpy and not well-shaped. For paddle surfing, it’s a pass. If you’re into kite surfing, this setup with the strong side-offshore wind and some size could be a fun session.

The final days from the 16th to the 17th are back to small, weak westerly swells with poor conditions. The run fizzles out.

The best bet: If you’re after quality, aim for Wednesday the 12th of August at Tankers. The afternoon session looks the best: a clean 4ft South swell (17 seconds) with a solid cross-off wind. Strong energy, good shape, and a consistent reef break. Come early, and bring a crowd-savvy attitude.

That’s the picture from here. Keep your eye on the 12th.

Rusty.

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