The Harbour Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s have a good look at the 16-day window for The Harbour. I’ll be straight with you— there’s a lot of flat, quiet days to sit through before any real action kicks off.

We’re starting with a blank stretch. From now through August 24th, there’s nothing rideable. The swell is totally absent and the water temp is about average for this time of year – no major anomaly, just your typical late-winter feel.

Tuesday the 25th sees a tiny 1ft pulse from the ESE creep in, but the period is a short 3 seconds and there’s very little energy behind it (combined swell energy of just 3). The cross-shore wind keeps things messy. Not worth paddling out.

Wednesday the 26th brings a bit more – 2ft from the east, 5-second period – but the wind is cross-onshore and the combined energy is still weak (26). By the afternoon, the swell jumps to 6ft from the ESE with a 7-second period and energy hitting 273, but the onshore wind from the NE is blowing 19 mph and rain is falling. That’s a messy, lumpy scene—more for the kites than surfboards.

Now here’s the true standout. Thursday morning, August 27th is when it all comes together. We’ve got a solid 5ft of east swell, 7-second period, and the wind switches to a light cross-offshore from the SSE at just 6 mph. The combined swell energy is moderate at 233. The wave comment says “expect good surf conditions.” This is your best call of the whole run – clean, lined-up, and accessible for intermediate surfers. The Harbour (The-Harbour) is a beach/groyne setup, exposed to the SE, so this east swell will wrap in nicely.

Friday the 28th is almost as good. The morning starts glassy with the wind coming light from the NE at 3 mph, the swell holding at 5ft from the east, 8-second period, and the combined energy up to 295. The afternoon keeps the glassy feel with a 5ft ENE swell. Both windows show “expect good surf conditions.” If you can’t make Thursday, Friday is your plan B.

After that, it drops off. Saturday the 29th is rideable but ordinary – 3ft from the ENE, weak energy (89), clean enough in the morning but nothing special. From Sunday the 30th onward, we get a long stretch of poor conditions. Strong onshore winds, small or no swell, and by the start of September, the surf all but vanishes again.

The second week, from September 1st to the 7th, is mostly flat or blown-out. There’s a tiny 2ft from the south on the 3rd with clean wind, but it’s weak (12) and not enough to get excited about. The rest is all zeros or tiny wavelets with no energy.

So to sum it up: there’s a decent little run Thursday and Friday of next week, with Thursday morning being the absolute pick for clean, chest-high surf with light winds. After that, the taps turn off for another long stretch. It’s not a classic 16 days here – make the most of that 27th and 28th if you can.

Stay safe,
Rusty

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