The Well Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab a coffee and listen up. Rusty here, checking in on the outlook for The Well.

We’ve got a solid 16-day window ahead, but it’s a bit of a slow burner. The surf doesn’t really get going until the first weekend, and there’s a few days of just okay stuff before that. But once it fires, it’s on. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, nothing wild there.

The pattern starts with a modest, clean but small swell Wednesday morning, the 19th. You’re looking at 4ft of SW swell with a super long 15-second period, but the energy is weak (652). The NNE wind is a fresh offshore, so it’ll be clean, but the wave comment spells it out: marginal. Good for a grovel session, but not a standout.

Thursday the 20th sees a jump in size to 7ft, but the period drops to 9 seconds, so it’s a bit lumpy and wind-affected. The energy is starting to build (2511), but the wind is cross-off, keeping it clean in the morning. Still not the best.

Friday the 21st is similar, pushing 8ft with a longer period (15 seconds) and a lot more energy (3715). The wind is a gentle cross-shore, so there’s a slight cross-chop. It’s getting there, but not quite the one.

Then, Saturday the 22nd is where it starts to get real. The swell hits 13ft from the SW with a 16-second period, and the energy is pumping (6982). Here’s the thing: that’s a lot of power, and the wind is cross-onshore, making it choppy. This is expert territory. The wave comment says it’s marginal due to tide, but the energy is undeniable.

Sunday the 23rd is the first real standout. The swell drops to a still-solid 10ft, but the wind swings NW in the morning, giving a clean cross-off breeze. The energy is still massive (5466), and the period is a solid 14 seconds. This is the session to aim for in the first week. The afternoon gets a bit lighter with a light cross-shore, but the morning is clean.

Monday the 24th is another clean morning at 10ft (14-second period, energy 3084), but the wind turns cross-on in the afternoon with light rain, so make the most of the early. Tuesday the 25th and Wednesday the 26th are messy with cross-on winds and dropping swell, though Wednesday morning has a 6ft clean cross-off that’s worth a look for the experienced crew.

Now, the second week. Thursday the 27th has a morning clean 7ft, but the wind is a fresh 25 km/h, so it’s blown out. Friday the 28th is a no-go: the swell is predicted to be too big for the break at 15ft, with strong onshore winds. Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th are poor with strong cross-onshore winds and messy conditions.

But hold on. Monday the 1st of September is a gem. The morning is glassy, with a 8ft SW swell and a 14-second period, and the energy is solid (2933). The wave comment says “excellent for experienced surfers.” That’s the pick of the later window if you’re skilled.

Finally, Thursday the 3rd of September is a monster. 10ft of SW swell with a 17-second period, energy at 5499, and a clean cross-off wind from the east. The wave comment says “exceptional for expert surfers.” That’s a very long-range standout, but it’s one to circle on the calendar.

So, the best on offer: Sunday the 23rd for the first week, and Monday the 1st of September for the second week. The Well is a reef break, so it handles the long-period groundswell well, but when it’s over 8ft, it’s experts only. The crowds are possible here, so get in early.

Rusty.

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