The Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line for The Heads.

The swell is solid for the first week, but the wind is a bit of a prickly customer. We’ve got a decent run of clean windows though, especially for the more experienced crew. The water temp is sitting at 62°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Thursday morning the 6th kicks off with a 10ft SW groundswell (13-second period) and a cross-shore westerly. It’s a bit messy with rain showers and some cross-chop, so it’s not looking pristine. The combined energy is strong at 3445. Certainly not a beginner’s day with size over 5ft. By Thursday afternoon, the wind swings to a light cross-onshore out of the SW, and the swell holds at 10ft SW, but it’s still a bit rough.

Friday morning the 7th is the first real standout. We’ve got an 8ft SW groundswell (14 seconds) and a clean cross-offshore breeze from the ENE. The water will be clean, and the energy is still pumping at 2602. This is excellent for experienced surfers, but that size is pushing past 8ft, so it’s expert territory. The afternoon turns more cross-shore and loses some of that shine.

Saturday the 8th drops a touch to 8ft SW, but the wind is cross-shore all day, so it’s average at best. Sunday the 9th gets ugly – strong onshore southerly winds, up to 16 mph, and the swell jumps to 12ft SSW. That’s a write-off, and the combined energy is a thumping 3784. The setup there looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

Monday the 10th through Tuesday the 11th: Monday has a smaller 5ft SW swell but cross-on winds, so it’s a bit bumpy. Tuesday morning the 11th is a gem though – 7ft SSW groundswell (12 seconds), light cross-offshore ENE breeze, and clean. The energy is moderate at 1590. That’s a good one for the experienced crew.

Wednesday the 12th morning is another highlight. A 5ft SSW groundswell with a very long 20-second period, light cross-offshore ENE wind, and a glassy surface. The energy is strong at 3325. That long period will make the waves super clean and powerful, perfect for a sandbar if it lines up, but beach breaks can get a bit straight with that kind of period. Still, a beauty of a morning.

Thursday the 13th is a ripper. Offshore NNE wind in the morning, 7ft SW groundswell (17 seconds), and clean. Afternoon holds with a 7ft SW and cross-offshore ENE breeze. Both sessions are clean and excellent for experienced surfers. The combined energy is 3178 and 2866, so there’s plenty of grunt.

Friday the 14th eases to 4ft SW (14 seconds) with a clean offshore N wind in the morning. The afternoon goes glassy with a light SE breeze. That’s a lovely small wave day, but not a standout for size.

The second week sees a real drop-off. Saturday the 15th to Tuesday the 19th is mostly marginal, with cross-shore or onshore winds, and swell sizes between 4ft and 7ft. The energy dips into the 700-1500 range. Wednesday the 19th is a bit of a nothing burger.

Thursday the 20th morning has a glassy 5ft SW swell, but it’s small and nothing special.

Now, Friday the 21st of August is a big one. The morning has an 8ft SSW groundswell (14 seconds) with a light cross-shore ESE breeze, and the energy is strong at 3001. The afternoon though – look out. An 12ft SSW groundswell (15 seconds) with a cross-shore ESE breeze, and the combined energy is a massive 5325. That’s huge, but the file says the swell is predicted to be too big for this break. It’s a monster, for experts only, and even then, it might be too much. This is a promising but less certain long-range standout – one to watch but not get too attached to.

So, the best on offer? Friday morning the 7th, Tuesday morning the 11th, Wednesday morning the 12th, and Thursday the 13th. All for experienced surfers, all clean. The Heads is a sandbar that’s fairly consistent, and crowds are possible, so keep an eye out.

Rusty.

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