Thousand Steps Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, let’s get into it. This is Rusty, and I’m lookin’ at the next couple of weeks at one spot only: Thousand Steps. It’s a reef break, exposed to the swell, and it’s very consistent, so it’s always got a pulse. But honestly, for the first week and a half, it’s gonna be a real battle. The water is sitting at 76°, which is a whopping 9° warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s weird, almost tropical, but it won’t make up for the weak surf.

The month kicks off on Sunday, 30 August, with a small 3ft SSW swell pushing in. The energy is moderate at 424, but the wind is a cross-on WSW breeze at 10 km/h, messing up the surface. It’s a mess. Monday and Tuesday are even worse – barely 2ft of swell, poor conditions, and no real push. The whole first week is a write-off: tiny waves, cross-on winds, and low scores. You’re looking at a long stretch of nothing until the 5th of September starts to show a little life.

Saturday, 5 September, the swell starts to build. By Saturday afternoon, we’ve got 4ft from the SSE, with the combined energy jumping to 1005 – that’s moderate to strong. The wind is light from the WSW at 5 km/h, making it a glassy cross-on. It’s still marginal, but it’s the best we’ve seen. Then Sunday, 6 September, is a bit of a wildcard. The swell hits 6ft from the S, with a period of 14 seconds, and energy through the roof at 1633. Sunday morning brings a moderate cross-offshore wind from the N at 25 km/h, but it’s clean. The afternoon has a cross-shore breeze. It’s big enough for experienced surfers, but the 6ft is still manageable for strong intermediates.

The real standout is Monday, 7 September. That’s the day. The swell pumps up to 10ft from the S in the morning, with a 13-second period, and the energy is a massive 2661. By the afternoon, it’s hitting 15ft from the S with 11-second period, and energy of 5176 – that’s a very strong, powerful swell. This is way too big for beginners. It’s only for experts. The wind is light and cross-on in the morning from the SSE at 5 km/h, but the afternoon gets a moderate cross-on from the WNW at 20 km/h, making it choppy. Still, the sheer size and power on offer are immense. This is the best window in the whole 16 days.

After that, the swell drops off a cliff. Tuesday, 8 September, back down to 2ft, and it stays weak and poor for the rest of the forecast right through to the 14th. The entire second week is flat and choppy, with barely any energy. So, if you’re a competent surfer who can handle heavy, big reef waves, you want to be at Thousand Steps on Monday, 7 September. The morning looks cleaner. The rest of the period is a snooze.

Rusty.

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