Tarcoola (Chanteez) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty, and I’ve been watchin’ the charts for Tarcoola (Chanteez). It’s a tricky outlook. The water temp is hangin’ around 67°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so nothin’ wild there.

The whole 16-day window is a bit of a drama. The first proper surf that’s on offer is Friday morning, August 21st, and straight away it’s a ripper, but it’s a beast. We’ve got a solid 8ft southwest groundswell, with a period of 15 seconds, and the combined energy is a massive 2482 (moderate to strong). The wind is a light cross-off from the east, so it’ll be clean. But here’s the thing – this is an advanced break, and that swell is way too big for most. It’s proper expert territory. The crowd factor is a “sometimes” thing, so you might have a few others out there, but early it could be quiet. The swell direction is dead on the optimum from the southwest, so it’ll be light up. Friday afternoon stays solid with 7ft, but the wind swings south and kicks up a cross-chop, so it’s not as clean.

Saturday, August 22nd, the morning drops a bit to 5ft, but the period stretches to 18 seconds – that’s very long period groundswell. The combined energy is 2572 (strong). The wind is light cross from the northwest, so it’s good, but the forecast says “marginal” for tide conditions. Honestly, it’s a bit of a gamble. That long period works a treat on a reef like this, but it’s not a standout. The afternoon is a write-off with a cross-on wind and 7ft, which is too big for the spot.

Sunday, August 23rd, the swell drops to 4ft, but the wind is howlin’ from the SSW at 19 mph, so it’s lumpy and poor. Not worth a paddle.

Monday, August 24th, morning looks clean again with a 7ft southwest swell, 15 second period, and a light cross-off from the southeast. The energy is 1889. But again, it’s too big for this break. The afternoon is a no-go.

Now, Tuesday, August 25th, is the only real standout in the whole window. The morning is absolute glass. The wind is a dead calm, coming from the SSE at 3 mph – that’s glassy. The swell is 4ft, period 12 seconds, and the combined energy is 692 (moderate). The direction is still SW, which is spot on. This is just right for an advanced break. It’s clean, it’s manageable, and the crowd factor is “sometimes,” so you might have a few but it’s not a zoo. This is the pick of the 16 days.

After that, it gets messy. Wednesday, August 26th, the swell jumps to 8ft in the morning, then 12ft in the afternoon, with a 19 second period. The energy is 4934 and 7701 – that’s strong to very strong. But the wind is onshore and howlin’, so it’s a lumpy mess. This is a beach-and-reef setup, and with that much swell and wind, it’s lookin’ more like a kite-surfing day than a paddle session.

Thursday, August 27th, still has 10ft to 8ft, and the wind is cross-shore, so it’s an expert-only zone. The energy is 3745 and 3143. Too big and messy.

The rest of the week and into early September, the swell is either too big (8ft to 10ft) with poor onshore winds, or it drops to 4ft to 6ft but the conditions are “marginal.” There’s a gap from about August 28th through to September 3rd where there’s no real recommendation. The surf is either too small, too big, or the wind is trash. Finally, on September 4th, we get a 8ft southwest swell with a 17 second period and glassy conditions in the morning. The energy is 3814 (strong). But again, too big for this break. The afternoon is a cross-on chore.

So, look, if you’re an expert and you’re keen for a proper session, Tuesday morning, August 25th, is your only real shot in this 16-day window. It’s glassy, it’s clean, and the swell is just right. The rest is either too big, too windy, or just not worth it.

Stay safe out there.

Rusty

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