The South Jetty Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what The South Jetty has in store for us over the next couple of weeks. I gotta be straight with you – this is a tough one.

Right off the bat, the water is sitting at 78°F, which is a solid 4° warmer than usual for this time of year. That’s a real standout, feels like bathwater out there. But don’t let that fool you, because the surf situation is looking pretty bleak for a long stretch.

We’ve got a big gap of flat to tiny, poor waves kicking things off. From Saturday the 15th right through until Sunday the 23rd of August, it’s basically a write-off. The swell is tiny, mostly under 2 feet, with a short, weak period. The combined energy is pathetic – you’re looking at values in the single digits and teens (10, 16, 12). The wind is all over the shop, mostly cross or cross-on, which is just chopping up what little bump there is. The comment says "poor surf conditions" for almost every session, and I’m not gonna argue with that. Unless you’re after a flat-water paddle in warm water, give it a miss.

Now, you’ve gotta wait until Monday the 24th of August. The swell nudges up to about 2 feet from the SSE, but it’s that short, weak stuff again with a period of only 6 seconds (combined energy 58). The wind is a light cross-on, so it’s not terrible, but it’s not glassy either. Still, it’s the first time we see “poor surf conditions” that are even bordering on something you could flop around on. Nothing to get excited about, but at least you’re not on a surfboard in a swimming pool.

Things finally start looking up around Wednesday the 26th of August. This is the one to circle on your calendar. The morning shows a clean 4-foot swell from the south, with a cross-offshore breeze out of the west. The combined energy jumps to a moderate 154, so there’s some proper push behind it. It’s still a short period (6 seconds), so it won’t be the most powerful wave, but with clean conditions and a bit of size, The South Jetty might actually offer some fun, crumbly waves. This is your best bet in the whole window. Later that afternoon the wind goes offshore from the NW at a solid 19 mph, which will clean it right up, but the swell drops to 2 feet.

Thursday the 27th morning is also worth a mention, with another 4-foot swell from the south and a cross-offshore north wind (combined energy 240). It’s a bit bigger and cleaner, but the comment calls it “marginal.” The short period still means it’ll be a bit fat and shapeless, but for the jetty, that’s usually fine.

The last real chance is Friday the 28th of August morning. Swell jumps to 6 feet from the ENE with a 7-second period – combined energy is a strong 387. That’s the most energy we see all forecast. But here’s the catch: the wind is a light cross-offshore from the NNE, so the morning should be clean. However, 6 feet with a short period is going to be a bit of a washing machine, a bit dumpy on the bank. That size is getting into the “too big for beginners” territory, and the short period will mean it closes out fast. If you’re an expert on a step-up, the morning session on Friday the 28th could offer some punchy, hollow little wedges, but it won’t be long and lined up.

From Saturday the 29th onward, the swell sticks around at 5-5 feet but the wind turns cross-on from the ENE, chopping it up again. The energy drops off, and it’s back to looking ordinary.

So, the standouts: Your best window is Wednesday the 26th (morning) and potentially Friday the 28th (morning) . Wednesday gives you the best combo of clean wind and surfable 4-foot southern swell. Friday gives you the most power, but it’s a more difficult, short-period ENE windswell. For the love of a clean wave, I’d be going Wednesday. It’s not going to be epic, but after two weeks of nothing, it’ll feel like a gift.

Rusty.

Read more