Tea Break Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. We’ve got a run of swell coming through at Tea Break, but it’s one of those frustrating windows where the waves are there, but the conditions just aren’t cooperating. The water temp is sitting right around 84°F, which is bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The pattern for the next couple of weeks is pretty consistent: there’s always some swell in the water, but it’s constantly fighting a cross-shore breeze. The wind never really cleans up, so we’re looking at poor surf conditions day after day. The energy picks up here and there—moderate energy around the 125 to 200 mark (125) on the 20th, 24th, and 25th—but the cross-chop from the wind keeps it messy. The swell direction is out of the east, which is fine for this exposed reef, but the period is short, mostly 4 to 8 seconds, so the waves are weak and lacking that punch.

We do have a bit of a longer period showing up right at the end. On the 31st of August, the swell period jumps to 13 seconds, and the energy jumps to 272 (272). That’s a longer period groundswell, which should bring more shape and power, but the wind is still cross-shore. The next morning, 1st September, we get a 11-second period with a gentle cross-shore breeze and a “marginal” call—the only time in the 16 days where the forecast even hints at something rideable. Swell height is around 4 ft, direction east, and the energy is 291 (291). But it’s still a cross-shore wind, so don’t expect perfection.

The rest of the run is a long grind of cross-shore chop and weak energy. The afternoon of the 28th, 29th, and 30th of August all show similar 3 ft to 5 ft swell with periods between 8 and 9 seconds, but the wind stays moderate to fresh. The 3rd of September drops back to short period (5 seconds) and low energy, so that’s another write-off.

Honestly, if you’re determined to get wet, the only real standout window is that 31st of August morning and the 1st of September morning. The period is longer, the swell is there, and the wind is lighter. But even then, it’s not clean. For a reef that needs an offshore, we’re stuck with cross-shore all the way. If you’re a kite surfer, this setup with the constant cross-shore breeze and moderate swell might actually be more interesting than paddle surfing.

Rusty out.

Read more