Terra Mar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Terra Mar.

The first week is a bit of a bummer, to be honest. We’re looking at a lot of poor to marginal surf, with the wind mostly cross-onshore, which just chops things up. The water is about 74°, which is a wild 6° warmer than normal for this time of year – feels like a hot tub out there.

The combined swell energy is mostly moderate, sitting between 300 and 600 (moderate wave energy), but the conditions just aren't cooperating. The swell is small, mostly 2ft to 4ft, coming from the SW and S, with some decently long periods (11 to 19 seconds). That long period would normally mean good shape, but the wind is a constant problem. There’s a real gap here with no good recommendations for several days.

Things start to perk up a bit towards the end of the first week and into the second. From about Thursday the 3rd of September, we see a bump. The combined swell energy hits 677 on the morning, then jumps to 885 (moderate wave energy) in the afternoon, with swell from the SSW at 3ft to 3ft and a very long period of 19 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell, and it’ll have some punch. The wind is still cross-on, though, so it’s not a total winner.

The standout window is the 4th, 5th, and 6th of September. On Friday the 4th, the swell pushes up to 4ft from the SSW with a 17-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 1139 (strong wave energy). The wind finally looks good, with light breezes and some offshore or light cross-on conditions. That’s the one to get excited about. The morning of Friday the 4th is the best, with light cross-onshore winds and a bit of shape.

Saturday the 5th holds similar size, 4ft to 5ft, with light breezes, and the energy is even higher at 1406 (strong wave energy). Sunday the 6th has the biggest size at 5ft, but the wind starts to pick up again, turning more onshore.

For a beginner, that 4ft to 5ft is getting a bit big, but it’s not out of the question. For the experienced crew, that Friday morning window is the time to go. The swell direction is a solid SSW, which matches what the break likes. It’s a point break, and with that long period swell, it will probably wrap in nicely, but it might be a bit too lined up and fast for the beach break sections. The crowds are listed as “sometimes,” so you might have some company, but it’s not a zoo.

The setup is a point break, so it’s not a wild beach break, but with the wind and swell, it could be a bit of a fight for the paddle-out. If the wind stays light, it’ll be clean. If it’s onshore, it’s going to be a mess.

So, bottom line: the first week is a write-off. Focus on the 4th and 5th for the best chance at something decent.

Rusty.

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