Tankers Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s talk about what’s shaping up at Tankers. It’s a reef setup that's consistent and exposed to the south, and right now we’ve got a bit of a waiting game on our hands. The water’s sitting around 81°, which is spot on for this time of year—nothing unusual there.

The start of the period is a tough one to get excited about. Sunday the 9th through to Friday the 14th, we’re looking at small, messy cross-off wind holding things back. Swells are small, mostly around 2 ft to 5 ft from the south, and while there’s moderate wave energy (values in the 400s to 1100s), the 15 to 18 second periods are just not good enough to overcome the choppy wind. It’s mostly a write-off for a decent paddle.

Saturday the 15th is when things get interesting, but it comes with a big caveat. The swell jumps to 7 ft in the morning from the east, with strong energy (1569), and then hits 8 ft in the afternoon from the east, with very strong energy (2546). That’s expert territory—too much power and size for most. The wind is still cross-off from the north-east, so you’re fighting the breeze. Not the day to take a beginner out.

Sunday the 16th is the real standout. Finally, glassy conditions. The wind swings light offshore from the north, dropping to 6 mph in the morning, and it goes offshore in the afternoon too at 9 mph. The swell drops back to 3 ft from the south, with a 16 second period, and moderate energy (422). That’s clean, workable surf for a reef break. This is the day to be in the water. The morning session looks the best, with light winds and a long-period groundswell that will line up nicely.

Monday the 17th onward is a bit of a letdown. The wind shifts onshore from the south-west, and the swell drops off quick. By Tuesday the 18th we’re into small, choppy, crossed-up junk. There’s a long gap of poor conditions through to the end of the outlook, with only marginal bits showing up on the 21st and 23rd, but nothing you’d call a session.

In the second week, the 23rd of August does have a 5 ft to 5 ft bump from the east, but the period is a weak 7 seconds, wind is cross-off, and the energy is moderate to strong (585 to 783). Might be worth a look if you’re desperate, but it’s not one to plan a trip around.

Bottom line: Tankers is quiet for long stretches. That Sunday the 16th is your best bet—clean, offshore, and a proper south groundswell. Lock it in.

Rusty

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