The Spit Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ve gotta be straight with you – the next 16 days are a real struggle for the South Coast. There’s nothing that’s a true standout, and the first surf worth mentioning doesn’t even show up until Friday morning, 21 August. Before that, Thursday 20 August is a total write-off with poor surf and a bumpy onshore wind. So we’re looking at a gap of just over a day of nothing.

Alright, so the first bit of hope comes Friday morning, 21 August. The Spit (river mouth) will have tiny 3ft swell from the east with a short 7-second period – weak energy (163). The wind is glassy, and that’s a major positive. The water’s 68°F, which is about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there. But it’s a beginner spot, consistent, and crowds are often around. The waves are small and ordinary, but with glassy conditions it’ll be clean. Friday afternoon the wind picks up and turns cross-shore, so don’t bother.

Saturday morning 22 August offers a small 2ft ENE swell, again short period (7 sec), and very weak energy (58). The wind is cross-offshore, so it’ll be clean. The waves are still pretty ordinary, but you could get a few fun ones if you’re keen. Afternoon is offshore light, but it’s still tiny.

Sunday 23 August through to Tuesday afternoon 25 August is a mixed bag of onshore and cross-onshore winds with small, weak swell (2ft to 3ft). The energy stays low to moderate (64 to 124). It’s mostly poor to very ordinary conditions. The best window in that stretch is Tuesday morning 25 August – a 3ft ENE swell, 9-second period, and a light cross-shore breeze. It’s still just ordinary, but it’s the cleanest in that block.

Wednesday 26 August has a bit of a clean-up. Morning is cross-offshore with a moderate breeze, 3ft ENE swell, 8-second period, energy 110. The afternoon turns offshore with a moderate breeze, and the wave height drops to 3ft – still clean, but very ordinary.

Thursday 27 August is back to cross-on and onshore winds, with a messy 3ft to 3ft swell. Not worth it.

Friday 28 August morning is your best bet in the whole outlook. The Spit has 3ft east swell, 7-second period, and it’s glassy. The energy is weak (96). The surf is still ordinary, but you’ll have clean, tiny waves with no wind. That’s the highlight. Afternoon turns cross-onshore and choppy.

From Saturday 29 August right through to the end of the forecast on Friday 4 September, it’s poor to ordinary. The swell stays small (1ft to 3ft), the wind is mostly cross-shore or cross-onshore, and the energy is weak to moderate (44 to 145). The last chance for a clean session is Friday morning 4 September – a 2ft east swell with a 10-second period, cross-offshore wind, and clean conditions. But it’s tiny.

So, the best on offer? Friday 21 August morning for the glassy start, and Friday 28 August morning for another glassy window. Both are small, but if you’re after a clean paddle, that’s it. Otherwise, it’s a long stretch of mediocre.

Rusty.

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