Tarcoola (Chanteez) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here.

Lookin’ at the next 16 days, it’s a bit of a mixed bag for Tarcoola, but there’s a couple windows that’ll get the heart pumpin’. The water’s sitting at 67°, which is about 2° cooler than average for this time of year – nothin’ too wild, just a touch on the fresh side.

We’re starting off this Monday, the 17th of August, with a solid SW groundswell comin’ through at 5ft, but the wind is howling from the NW at 19 mph, makin’ it a lumpy cross-onshore mess. Not worth paddlin’ out. Monday afternoon gets even worse – onshore SW wind at 22 mph and the swell jumps to 8ft. Total write-off.

Tuesday the 18th though… hold onto your board. The morning sees a clean, glassy morning with a light NNE breeze at 3 mph, and a strong 12ft SW swell (combined energy of 6187). The wind is cross-offshore, so the face will be smooth. But mate, this is a heavy one – over 8ft, so it’s strictly for the experts. Same story Tuesday afternoon: 10ft SW swell, clean lines, but still too big for most.

Wednesday the 19th and Thursday the 20th keep the swell up in the 7ft to 8ft range, with clean mornings and cross-off winds. The energy is strong (2465 to 3756), and the period is a long 15-16 seconds, which means plenty of grunt. Again, this is expert territory. The crowds can show up here sometimes, so be ready to share.

Friday the 21st is more of the same – 7ft SW swell, clean in the morning with an ESE breeze, but the afternoon gets a messy cross-shore chop as the wind picks up from the south at 19 mph.

Now, Saturday the 22nd is the standout, and the one to circle. Saturday morning we get offshore wind from the NE at 12 mph, with a 6ft SW swell (period 14 seconds). The combined energy is 2372 – solid, punchy waves. The wind is offshore and clean, the break is exposed to the SW swell, and the optimum direction matches perfectly. This is excellent, clean surf for experienced surfers. The crowd factor might be there, but with conditions this good, it’s worth the company.

Sunday the 23rd drops off fast – 5ft cross-on mess, nothin’ doin’. Then we hit a dry spell. From Monday the 24th through to Thursday the 27th, it’s a mix of poor conditions and marginal surf: choppy cross-onshore winds, lumpy bumps, and swell that’s either too big with bad wind or just plain weak.

Friday the 28th of August morning offers a little glimmer – 4ft SW groundswell with a clean offshore ENE breeze at 12 mph. It’s a small window, and the combined energy is a light 777, so it’s more of a longboard session than a barrel fest.

Saturday the 29th morning sees a sneaky one: a 4ft WSW groundswell with a period of 18 seconds, combined energy of 1474, and clean cross-offshore wind. The period is super long, so it’ll be lining up beautifully at this exposed break. It’s small, but clean.

The last few days into September get messy again – Sunday the 30th and Monday the 31st are write-offs with strong onshore winds. Tuesday the 1st of September comes back with a massive 12ft SW groundswell and clean wind, but that’s well over 8ft – experts only.

So, to sum it up: Saturday the 22nd of August is your best bet – clean, offshore, 6ft SW swell. Friday the 28th morning is a sneaky small-wave option. Everything else is either for the pros or best left for another day.

Rusty, signing off.

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