Tuncurry-North Wall Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll be straight with you – this 16-day window for Tuncurry-North Wall is a bit of a mixed bag. We’re looking at a long stretch of mostly small, weak surf, with a few windows where it gets just interesting enough to warrant a paddle. The overall pattern is dominated by tiny, short-period leftovers, and the wind is a constant battle. There’s a couple of days that stand out if you’re patient, but you’ll need to pick your moments.

The first real glimmer of hope doesn’t arrive until Sunday, August 17th, on the morning. The swell bumps up to 5 ft from the ESE, packing a moderate energy (237). The period is a short 7 seconds, so it’s going to be a bit crumbly, and there are rain showers around with a cross-shore wind. It’s marginal, but it’s the first time we have something to work with. The afternoon is the same deal, but still poor.

Monday, August 18th, the morning cleans up a bit. Swell is 5 ft from the ESE, still 7 seconds, and the wind swings to a light cross-offshore from the SSE. The water temp is about 66°, which is pretty normal for this time of year. The energy is moderate (196). It’s surfable, but very ordinary. The afternoon gets messy again with rain and cross-shore wind.

Now, here’s the pick of the bunch. Wednesday, August 19th, morning. The swell holds at 4 ft from the SE, period stretches to 8 seconds, and the combined energy climbs to a solid 271 (moderate). More importantly, the wind shifts to a light offshore from the SW. This is the best we’ll see for a clean, workable wave. Expect good surf conditions. The afternoon sees a bump in height to 6 ft from the ESE, with energy spiking to 633 (strong), but the wind swings onshore from the E, making it messy and marginal.

Thursday, August 20th, morning is the absolute standout. The swell is 5 ft from the ESE, 8-second period, and the energy is moderate (263). But the real kicker is the wind: glassy. Dead calm. WNW at 3 mph. This is the cleanest, most inviting window of the entire run. The waves will be lined up and well-shaped. If you can only surf one session, this is it. The afternoon turns onshore again, so get in early.

After that, it’s a slow fade. Friday the 21st drops to 3 ft with onshore wind, and then we hit a proper flat spell. From Saturday the 23rd onwards, the swell is tiny – 0.7 ft to 2 ft – with very little energy (values between 0 and 75). The wind is mostly offshore or cross-off, so the water will be clean, but there’s simply nothing to ride. The blank run stretches from the 23rd right through to the 29th, with only microscopic waves and no real surfable energy. It’s a classic late-winter lull.

So, bottom line: the surf is poor for the vast majority of this forecast. The two sessions to target are the morning of Wednesday the 19th and, especially, the glassy morning of Thursday the 20th. That Thursday morning is your best bet for a proper surf. The rest is a waiting game.

Rusty.

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