The Heads Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’ve got a wild ride ahead at The Heads, with a solid start that gets properly big before backing off again.

The surf kicks off with a bang on Tuesday afternoon, August 25th. A big 8ft SW swell is rolling in with a very long 14-second period and the combined energy is pumping hard at 2509. Water temp is sitting at 60°, which is a bit colder than usual for this time of year, so you’ll want the thick rubber. The only issue is a light cross-shore wind that’s just enough to put a few tiny ripples on it. It’s not perfect, but the size and power are there.

Wednesday the 26th gets messy quick. Morning brings 6ft of S swell at a long 16 seconds, but a moderate 16 mph cross-shore breeze chops it up. By the afternoon, it’s even worse with 22 mph winds and a lumpy 8ft SSW swell. Honestly, this day is a write-off for a clean wave.

Now, Thursday morning, August 27th, is the standout for the first week. You’ve got a clean 7ft SSW swell (12-second period) with zero wind—completely glassy. The energy is strong at 1597. This is excellent for experienced surfers, but at 7ft, it’s getting a bit heavy for the less experienced. This is the one to circle.

Friday the 28th cleans up nicely. The swell drops to 5ft from the S (11 seconds) with glassy conditions both morning and afternoon. It’s not as powerful, with moderate energy around 750, but you’ll get some clean, fun waves.

After that, things drop off fast. Saturday the 29th has a weak 4ft S swell and a cross-onshore wind. By Sunday the 30th, a new 4ft SW swell arrives (14-second period) with clean conditions from a cross-offshore breeze and 1024 energy, so a few clean lines are possible, but it’s not a headline day.

From Monday the 31st through Tuesday the 1st of September, the swell jumps back up. Tuesday afternoon sees a massive 13ft SW swell with a crazy 8566 combined energy, but the wave comment warns it’s just too big for this break. Same goes for Wednesday the 2nd with a 13ft to 12ft SW swell—expert territory only and choppy with it.

Thursday, September 3rd, brings a potential second standout. The morning shows an 8ft SW swell (12 seconds) with glassy conditions and strong energy at 2391. Perfect for experienced surfers again. It’s a promising window, but it’s over a week out, so keep an eye on the forecasts.

Friday the 4th stays big with 13ft to 12ft SE swell, but again, too big and with onshore winds. The next week sees the swell drop into the 5ft to 8ft range, but winds are mostly cross-shore or onshore, making it a tough call. The morning of Saturday the 5th has a short-period, weak 6ft ESE swell (7 seconds, 685 energy) with moderate cross-shore chop. Not great.

Sunday morning, September 6th, offers a clean 8ft E swell with a light cross-offshore breeze. The energy is strong at 1955, and it’s clean. That’s another one for the experienced crew, a good week-and-a-half out.

After that, the surf tails off into smaller, shorter-period swells through to Wednesday the 9th of September. A few glassy moments on the 9th morning with 5ft S swell, but it’s low on energy.

There’s a dry spell from Saturday the 29th to Sunday the 30th where the quality just isn’t there, and another one from Tuesday the 1st to Wednesday the 2nd when it’s just too big. But overall, there’s enough on offer to keep you keen.

Signing off, Rusty.

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