Tengan Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here.

Alright, let’s be straight with you. This 16-day stretch for Tengan is a real test of patience. We’re looking at a long, dry spell with nothing doing for the first week. The water temp is sitting at 85°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first sign of life doesn’t show up until Monday the 3rd of August. Even then, it’s a slow start. Monday morning sees a small 2ft swell from the east, with a long period of 15 seconds—that’s proper groundswell energy, but it’s weak overall (combined energy of 221). The wind is light and cross-shore, so it’s not blown out, but the waves are marginal with questionable tide. By Monday afternoon, the swell bumps up to 3ft from the east-southeast, period 16 seconds, and the energy jumps to moderate (421). Still, the wind turns cross-shore with a bit of chop, and the forecast is only “marginal.” Not a standout.

Things improve a touch on Tuesday the 4th. Morning sees a 4ft swell from the east with a 17-second period, and the wind is clean cross-offshore from the northwest at 12 mph. The energy is starting to get strong (851), but the surf quality is still just marginal. The afternoon builds to 4ft from the east, 18-second period, and the energy hits 1033—strong and clean. This is the best on offer in the first few days, but it’s still not a classic. Tengan is a reef break, so those long-period swells (over 15 seconds) will wrap in nicely, but with only 4ft it’s more of a longboarder’s window than a proper stand-out.

Wednesday the 5th is a write-off. The swell jumps to 5ft from the east, but the wind is cross-onshore at 9–12 mph, making it choppy and messy. The energy is huge (1755 in the morning, 3215 in the afternoon), but the quality is poor. That size is getting too big for beginners, and with the wind on it, only experts looking for a battle might paddle out.

Thursday the 6th drops back to 3ft from the east-northeast, with a 15-second period and clean cross-offshore wind. The energy is moderate (541). It’s a clean, workable surf, but still marginal. The afternoon sees a smaller 3ft with a 14-second period, and the wind freshens to 16 mph, keeping it clean but small.

The rest of the week fades out. Friday the 7th has strong offshore winds (22 mph) but the swell is tiny—2ft. The energy is weak (94). Saturday the 8th is more of the same: 1ft, offshore winds, barely any energy (37). Sunday the 9th morning is still small, but Sunday afternoon finally shows a pulse: 5ft from the east, 9-second period, with gentle offshore wind and clean conditions. The energy jumps to 433—moderate. This is the most promising moment of the whole outlook. The period is short (9 seconds), so expect weaker, more frequent waves, but the wind is good and the size is fun. Tengan is a reef, and with a short period, it’ll hold some shape. It’s not a classic, but it’s the best we’ve got.

From Monday the 10th onward, it’s back to marginal and poor conditions. The swell holds around 5ft, but the wind turns cross-shore and then onshore, and the period drops to 8 seconds. That’s short-period wind swell, and with onshore winds and storms likely, it’ll be a messy, choppy mess. Not worth the paddle.

So, the bottom line: the only real window to keep an eye on is Sunday afternoon, the 9th of August. Otherwise, it’s a lean fortnight. Crowds at Tengan are sometimes a problem, but with this run of small, marginal surf, I reckon you’ll have it mostly to yourself. The longer period swells in the first week are better suited to the reef, but the size just isn’t there. For beginners, the swell stays under 5ft most days, so it’s doable, but the quality is poor. Experts might find something on Tuesday the 4th or Sunday the 9th, but don’t expect fireworks.

Rusty.

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