The Wharf Lefts Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here.

Look, I’ll be straight with you—this stretch is a tough one. We’ve got The Wharf Lefts (reef break) as our only option, and honestly, the next week and a half is mostly a write-off. The first solid recommendation doesn’t even show up until Monday the 10th of August, and even then it’s barely on the radar. So we’re looking at a long gap of about nine days with no real surf to speak of—just tiny, weak dribble and cross-off winds that never let up. The water temp sits at 80°F with an anomaly of 0.9°F, so pretty average for this time of year around here.

The Wharf Lefts is a fairly consistent reef setup, exposed to swell from the south, with an optimum direction out of the south. The wind stays locked in from the ENE as a cross-off nearly the entire forecast—not ideal, not terrible, but it keeps things clean enough even if the waves aren’t there. Crowds are possible, being that it’s ‘sometimes’ busy.

Let’s run through it. Saturday the 1st through to Sunday the 9th of August is basically dead. Swell heights hover around 1ft to 2ft with periods in the 12 to 18-second range, but the combined energy is weak—often below 100 (e.g., 97, 77, 95)—and the wave comments say “poor surf conditions” or “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions” at best. A couple of afternoons on the 4th and 5th show moderate energy (113 and 101), but it’s still tiny. Kite surfers might have a look at the consistent cross-off breeze, but for a paddle surfer, it’s a no-go.

Then we hit Monday the 10th of August. Monday afternoon finally shows some life: swell bumps to 3ft from the SSW, period at 16 seconds, and combined energy jumps to 293 (moderate). Still cross-off wind from the ENE at 15 mph, but the wave comment says “marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions.” Not a standout by any stretch, but it’s the first real chance to get wet—if the tide plays ball.

Now here’s where we get a bit of hope. Wednesday the 12th of August morning and afternoon kick up: 3ft to 3ft swell from the SSW, period 17 to 18 seconds, and combined energy hits 555 then 624 (strong). That’s real energy, and with a long period like that, The Wharf Lefts reef setup should start to shape up nicely. The wind is still cross-off from the ENE at 18 mph, so it’ll be clean but a bit bumpy. This is the best of the bunch—still marginal on the score, but the energy is there.

Thursday the 13th morning holds at 3ft from the south, period 16 seconds, energy at 607, but by afternoon the conditions slip again (447) and the wave comment goes back to poor. Friday the 14th sees the biggest swell of the whole run—3ft from the south, period 16 seconds, combined energy up to 784 and 809 (strong to very strong)—but the wind picks up to 22-25 mph from the ENE, and the wave comment is “poor surf conditions.” That’s a shame; the reef would be handling that swell, but the breeze will make it choppy and tough.

The last couple of days, Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th, settle back to 3ft to 3ft from the SSW and S, with moderate to strong energy (581 to 633), but still marginal and cross-off. Nothing that’ll blow your mind.

So, the only true standout is Wednesday the 12th of August—both sessions. That’s your best window: solid energy, clean-ish cross-off wind, and a long-period SSW swell hitting a south-exposed reef. It won’t be perfect, but it’s the best on offer. If you’re desperate, Monday the 10th afternoon might give you a tiny window too. Otherwise, sit this one out and wait for the next system.

Rusty.

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