Terra Mar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty. Let's take a look at what's coming up for Terra Mar.

The outlook is a long, drawn-out tease. We’ve got a solid run of small, messy swell for the next week or so, but nothing that’s going to get the blood pumping. The real interest, and the only true standout on the cards, is a punchy south swell that shows up later in the first week of September.

Right now, the surf is small and mostly poor. Monday, the 31st of August, we’re looking at a weak 3 ft SSW swell with a moderate 14-second period, but the wind is on it and the surf quality is just not there. The combined energy is only moderate at 500. That same limp, cross-onshore pattern hangs around through Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Swell heights bobble between 2 ft and 4 ft, and the energy values stay in the moderate range (252 to 805). The wind is a constant problem, keeping it choppy and uninviting. It’s a write-off for a solid four or five days.

Things start to change on Saturday, the 5th of September. The swell picks up a bit, hitting 3 ft to 4 ft from the SSW and S, with the period holding at a solid 14-16 seconds. The energy jumps to a strong 920 in the morning and a very strong 1106 in the afternoon. The wind lightens up, which is a big positive, but the conditions are still just marginal. It’s a glimmer of hope, but not the main event.

Now, the real standout is Sunday, the 6th of September. This is the one to circle on the calendar. A solid 8 ft south swell, with a 15-second period, rolls in. The combined energy is a powerful 2474, telling you there’s a lot of water moving. And the wind? A crisp NNE cross-offshore, at 25 km/h (16 mph). The forecast says it’s clean. That’s a beautiful thing to hear. For a point break like Terra Mar, which is exposed to the swell, this long-period groundswell is perfect. The long period means well-shaped waves and easier paddling, though it’s a powerful 8 ft, so it’s not for the faint of heart or beginners – that’s expert territory. It’s a solid, heavy day for the crew that knows what they’re doing. The water temperature is about average for this time of year.

Monday, the 7th of September, is a washout. The swell is still a solid 8 ft, but the wind is howling from the SSE at 40 km/h (25 mph), making it an absolute mess. The surf quality is rated as poor. This setup is more interesting for the kite surfers than the paddle crew.

After that, it’s back to the small stuff. The following week, from the 8th of September onward, the swell drops back to 1 ft to 6 ft, with energy levels dropping back to moderate (213 to 493). The wind is mostly a light to gentle cross-onshore, which keeps the conditions mediocre at best. There’s a couple of marginal moments on the 13th and 15th of September, but nothing that’s worth getting excited about at this range.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a grind. The one truly standout day is Sunday, the 6th of September, with that powerful, clean south swell.

Rusty, signing off.

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