The Well Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s on the menu for The Well over the next couple of weeks. It’s a reef setup, so it needs a solid push from the south to get going, and it's an advanced wave—meaning it’s no place for learners.

The first bit of surf we can actually get excited about is Thursday morning, August 27th. The Well is seeing a clean 5 ft swell from the SW, with a solid 12-second period. The wind is a crisp cross-offshore from the NNW, and the water is sitting at 57°, which is bang on average for this time of year. The combined energy is moderate (961), but the early conditions are clean. There’s a suggestion of a tricky afternoon, so hit it early.

The next standout is a big one. Monday morning, August 31st is shaping up to be a serious session for the experienced crew. We’ve got a solid 12 ft SW groundswell with a 15-second period—that’s proper long-period energy. The wind is light and cross-off from the NNW, keeping the surface glassy. The combined energy is very strong (5630), and the forecast is calling for exceptional conditions for experts. The wave direction is a perfect match for the reef. This is the morning to be out there.

We’ll see a few more pulses through the first week of September, but the wind is a constant battle. By Wednesday morning, September 2nd, there’s another 12 ft WSW swell, but a moderate cross-off breeze keeps it rideable. The energy is very strong (5029), but the quality is marginal.

Around Thursday September 3rd, through Friday September 4th, the swell jumps up big time—13 ft to 20 ft from the WSW. The combined energy is off the charts (5780 to 13985). This is purely for the expert crowd. For a reef, this is proper big-wave territory.

Then we hit a rough patch. From Saturday September 5th through Monday September 7th, the wind gets nasty. We’re looking at 16 ft to 20 ft swells, but strong cross-onshore and onshore winds are making it a mess. The energy is massive (9767 to 18490), but the quality is poor. It’s a pass for paddling; if you’re into kites, you might find a window.

After that, the pattern cleans up beautifully. Tuesday September 9th is a massive sleeper call. We’ve got a 20 ft SW swell, but the wind is a light offshore from the East. The energy is extreme (14031), and the forecast calls for exceptional conditions for experts. The swell is huge, but with that offshore wind, The Well could be one of the best waves on the planet for a handful of people.

Finally, the last real standout is Friday September 11th. The swell has dropped back to a manageable 7 ft from the SW with a long 14-second period, and the wind is a clean offshore from the North. The energy is moderate (1937), but the conditions are excellent for experienced surfers. It’s a perfect way to end the window.

So, to sum it up: The best on offer is Monday morning, August 31st for the perfect combo of size and glassy conditions, and Wednesday, September 9th for the pure power and offshore wind—though that one is only for the experts. The middle of the window is a washout, but the bookends are solid.

Rusty.

Read more