The Inlet and Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s on offer.

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – this forecast window for The Inlet and Pier is a tough one. We’re looking at a solid run of days where the surf is just flat or blown out. From now, right through most of the next two weeks, the swell is skinny and the conditions are ordinary. There’s a real gap here: nothing worth paddling out for from Saturday 8 August right through until Tuesday 19 August.

The first real chance of a wave comes on Wednesday morning, 19 August. It’s not much, but it’s something. Swell is tiny at 1ft from the SE, with a period of 9 seconds – short-period windswell, not much push. The combined swell energy is weak at 53, so you’ll be working for every ride. The water temperature is 78°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least the water’s nice. The wind goes glassy early, dead calm, which is a rare treat for conditions. It’s a beach/jetty setup, so with that super long period seaweed? Nah, this is short-period stuff anyway – but the glassy morning will have it looking smooth. That’s your standout morning, but only if you’re desperate for a paddle. It’s very small, and it’s inconsistent – not gonna win any awards.

Then on the Wednesday afternoon, 19 August, the swell bumps up a notch to 4ft from the S with a short 5-second period. That’s a lot of whitewater and very little shape – combined energy is moderate at 135, but the period is so short it’ll be crumbly and weak. Winds go cross-off from the SSW at 10 mph, so it’s clean, but the waves are ordinary. For a beginner, anything over 5ft is getting too big, so 4ft is okay for most, but the quality just isn’t there.

The next flicker is on Thursday morning, 20 August. Swell is 2ft from the ESE with a long 11-second period – that’s a groundswell pulse, so it’ll have a bit more energy and shape despite the size. Combined energy is 79, still weak. Winds are glass again, which is beautiful, and the break is exposed to the swell. But it’s small and inconsistent – you’ll get occasional sets, but mostly waiting. This is the second stand-out window, but it’s only for those who really want to get wet.

After that, it’s back to small, messy junk through to the end of the forecast. Nothing else stands out. If you’re a kite surfer, those stronger afternoon winds around 17–20 August with the choppy conditions might look more interesting – for a paddle surfer, this is a frustrating stretch.

That’s the story. Keep an eye on the charts, but for now, it’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

Read more