Turtles Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright lads, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what the ocean has in store over the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a proper swell train headin’ our way, but it’s gonna take a minute to settle in. The first few days are a complete mess – don’t even bother. The real good stuff hits mid-week, and there’s one morning that’s gonna be etched in memory.

### Tuesday, August 18th

This is the day. The whole forecast is built around this window. We’re lookin’ at a solid 10 ft swell out of the WSW, with a dreamy 17 second period – that’s pure groundswell energy. The combined energy is a massive 5488 (strong), so you’ll feel every ounce of power. The wind is light off the ESE at 6 mph, which is a sweet cross-offshore breeze polishin’ the faces up to glassy perfection. At Turtles, a heavy reef break, it don’t get much better. That size is strictly for the pros – it’s over 8 ft, so only experts need apply. Water temp is a comfortable 72°F, right about average for this time of year – no weird chills.

The afternoon of the 18th, though, the wind swings to the SW at 12 mph, turnin’ it cross-on and choppy. The swell bumps up to 12 ft, but the quality is shot. A hard pass for the paddle surfers.

### Wednesday, August 19th to Monday, August 24th

The swell stays big, hangin’ around 7 ft to 8 ft from the WSW or SW, with a solid 15 to 16 second period. The energy is still strong (in the 2000s to 3000s), so there’s plenty of push. The mornings are the ticket, with light ESE to SE winds at 6 to 12 mph keepin’ things cross-off and clean. Afternoons get chopped to bits by onshore or strong cross-shore winds. Wednesday the 19th morning looks alright – 8 ft, clean, though the report called it marginal. Thursday the 20th morning is a similar story. From Friday the 21st, the size drops off a touch and the wind gets messy.

### Tuesday, August 25th onwards

The swell fades to 5 ft to 6 ft from the WSW, and the period drops to 12 to 16 seconds. Energy levels slide into the moderate range (in the 700s to 1900s). Mornings still have cross-off winds, which is nice, but the power’s gone. Sunday, August 30th shows a little pulse with a 6 ft swell and a 17 second period, but cross-on wind ruins the party.

The last few days into September just fizzle into small, wind-blown slop. The 1st of September morning offers a clean 5 ft swell with a 14 second period, but the energy is weak (955) – not enough to get the heart pumpin’.

Bottom line: the one and only true standout is Tuesday, August 18th morning at Turtles. That’s the score. Get out there and charge.

Rusty.

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