The Wharf Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, giving you the lowdown on The Wharf.

It's a grim stretch, plain and simple. We're looking at 16 days of forecasts, and you could leave your board in the car for nearly all of it. The first time you might even think about a paddle isn't until Monday, August 17th, and it's a real maybe. Before that, it's all high winds, messy conditions, and poor surf. There's a big gap of nothing from the start until that Monday.

Water temp is sitting at 81°F, which is pretty much average for this time of year, so no drama there.

The first week, from Saturday the 8th right through to Sunday the 16th, is a total write-off. The swell is there, sometimes big, but the wind is a killer. You've got strong breezes from the SE and E, mostly onshore or cross-onshore, just tearing the place up. A couple of days, like Monday the 10th, see a massive 10ft to 8ft SSE swell with a 17-second period (very long period groundswell), but it's coupled with a risk of thunderstorms and 18-22 mph onshore winds. The combined energy is massive (3021 on Monday afternoon), but it's pure chaos. This is a reef setup, so with that wind and size, it's a total mess. For beginners, any swell over 5ft is a no-go, and when it's over 8ft that's strictly expert territory, but the wind is making it unsurfable for anyone.

The pattern shifts into the second week. From Monday the 17th to the end on Sunday the 23rd, it's still poor, but a little less intense. The wind eases up a bit, but it's still mostly cross-onshore. The swell drops right off, with most days seeing heights around 2ft to 4ft, and the energy is weak (under 500 for most of it). The best day on offer is probably Saturday, August 22nd. You've got a 5ft S swell at 14 seconds, a decent groundswell, and the wind is a gentle breeze from the ENE, making it cross-onshore but fairly choppy. The combined energy is moderate at 1116. It's a marginal day, but it's the best of a bad lot.

The standout is that Saturday the 22nd. It's not perfect, but it's the only time the stars almost align. The wind is lightest, the swell is a solid 5ft from the south, and with a 14-second period, those waves will have some punch. Just expect some chop. It's a consistent break, so there will be waves, but the crowds are *sometimes* an issue, so you might have some company.

In short, save your energy for Saturday, August 22nd. The rest is a bust.

Rusty.

Read more