Turtles Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G'day, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid run of swell on the cards for Turtles (reef), but don’t get too excited just yet – it’s an advanced-only setup, and the conditions are gonna chop and change a fair bit over the next couple of weeks.

The big picture is a strong, long-period groundswell from the WSW that’s going to pulse through, with the combined energy of all swells directed here sitting at a hefty 5651 (moderate to strong wave energy) on Tuesday morning. The water temp is sitting at 72.1°, about average for the time of year.

Tuesday morning, 18 August is the standout. We’ve got a clean 10 ft WSW groundswell with a 17-second period – that’s very long period, so expect proper groundswell lines with long gaps between sets. The wind is a light, 6 mph SE cross-offshore breeze, which will keep the face clean. This is exceptional surf, but only for experts – 10 ft is well over the 8 ft mark, so it’s too big for beginners. The reef will handle that long period better than a beach break, so expect some proper barrels. Crowds are often here, so you won’t be alone.

Tuesday afternoon goes downhill fast. The same 11.5 ft swell, but the wind swings to a 12 mph WSW cross-onshore, turning it into a choppy mess. Not worth paddling out.

Wednesday morning, 19 August – the swell drops to 8.2 ft, still from the WSW with a 16-second period, but the wind is a 16 mph SE cross-offshore. It’s cleaned up, but the wind is getting up there. Marginal but doable for the experienced crew.

Thursday morning, 20 August – this is your next best call. An 8.2 ft WSW swell at 16 seconds, with a 9 mph offshore from the east. The combined energy is 3278 (moderate energy). That’s gentle offshore and clean, excellent for experienced surfers. The wind is light, so the lineup will be glassy early.

Friday morning, 21 August – similar story. 7.2 ft SW swell, 15-second period, combined energy 2120 (moderate). The wind is a 3 mph offshore from the east – barely a breath, glassy clean. This is a good one for the more confident surfers, but not the top pick.

From Saturday morning, 22 August through to Tuesday afternoon, 25 August, the swell slowly drops from 5.9 ft down to 4.6 ft, with periods hanging around 12-14 seconds. The winds are mostly cross-off or cross, but they’re fresh (16-22 mph), lumping up the surface. The combined energy drops to around 614-1810 (weak to moderate). Not great, not terrible – but the wind is the spoiler.

Wednesday morning, 26 August – the swell gets a little bump to 3.9 ft, but a new 16-second pulse gives a combined energy of 1233 (moderate). The 22 mph SE cross-off wind cleans it but it’s blowing hard, so it’s on the edge of being fun.

Wednesday afternoon, 26 August – here’s a curveball. The swell jumps to 6.9 ft SW with a 16-second period, and the combined energy spikes to 3476 (moderate), but the wind is a 25 mph S cross-shore, creating a messy cross-chop. It’s a poor surf condition; the setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

Thursday morning, 27 August to Friday afternoon, 28 August – swell sits between 3.9 ft and 5.9 ft, with 13-15 second periods. Winds are fresh (16-22 mph) from the SE or SSW, keeping it cross-off or cross, but the surface is lumpy. Combined energy is 854-1343 (weak to moderate). Nothing to write home about.

Saturday morning, 29 August – the swell is back up to 6.9 ft from the WSW, 17-second period, combined energy 2523 (moderate). But the wind is 3 mph onshore from the west. That’s a glassy start but onshore, so it’s marginal. The wind picks up in the afternoon.

Sunday morning, 30 August – 7.2 ft WSW, 16 seconds, combined energy 2460 (moderate), with a 9 mph cross-shore from the north. Gentle cross-shore with slight chop. It’s okay, but not clean.

Monday morning, 31 August – a solid 10 ft WSW swell, 17-second period, combined energy 4340 (moderate to strong). The wind is 6 mph cross-onshore from the WNW. That’s light cross-onshore with small ripples – it

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