Tarcoola (Chanteez) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s talk Tarcoola (Chanteez). It’s a bit of a waiting game to start. The first real chance to get wet is a long way off, so don’t be in a rush.

The first decent window opens on Sunday morning, 9 August. There’s a big SW groundswell coming in at about 12 feet, with a very long period of 17 seconds. That’s a ton of energy moving through (8056). This is a heavy, powerful swell. The wind is offshore and light, so the surface will be glassy, but the wave height is over 8 feet, so this is for experts only. Beginners, stay on the sand. The water temperature is about average for the time of year, nothing unusual.

The swell stays big and long-period through Tuesday morning, 11 August, with another 13-foot SW swell and 17-second period, energy still in the 9000s. The wind is cross-offshore, which keeps it clean, but it’s still a massive, heavy ocean. Not for the faint of heart.

By Thursday morning, 13 August, the swell drops to 8 feet, but still with a 15-second period. The energy is still very high (2354). The wind is a gentle offshore from the east, so the waves will be clean. At 8 feet, it’s still big but not as intimidating – strong intermediates might get a look, but it’s still a powerful wave.

The best chance for a broader range of surfers comes later. Saturday morning, 15 August, the swell drops to 6 feet with a 14-second period, energy down to 1290. The wind is cross-offshore, and the forecast says “marginal” – but at this size, it’s the most accessible window in the whole run. The crowd factor is “sometimes,” so you might have some company. It’s not perfect, but it’s the least intimidating the whole stretch gets.

The rest of the period is a mix of either too big and blown out, or too small and messy. There’s a Sunday morning, 23 August, where the swell is down to 5 feet, 13-second period, and the wind is glassy – that’s a rare treat. The combined energy is 919, which is moderate. The forecast says “very good surf conditions,” but it’s the very end of the window, so keep an eye on it.

If you’re an expert and want a serious paddle, the big days from 9 August through Tuesday, 11 August are the standout – but you’ll need to be on your game. For the rest of us, the weekend of 15 August or the glassy morning on 23 August are the only real options. The long periods mean the waves will have plenty of energy and shape, but at a beach break, they can be a bit too straight. It’s a tough forecast for Tarcoola – mostly a waiting game.

Rusty

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