Turtles Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s chew the fat on Turtles (reef break) for the next couple of weeks. This is a spot for advanced surfers only—we got a solid run of groundswell coming, but the wind’s going to make you work for it.

Kicking off Thursday afternoon, the 20th of August, with a bit of light rain that ain’t no worry. Swell’s at 8 ft from the WSW, with a really long period of 16 seconds—that’s proper groundswell. Combined energy is 3152, so there’s heaps of push. Wind is 15 km/h cross-off from the ENE, clean and tidy. Water temp is 72°F—right about average for this time of year. This is excellent for experienced surfers, and it’s a standout early. Spot can get crowded, fair warning.

Friday morning the 21st keeps the run going: 7 ft from the WSW with a 15-second period, and wind swings to E at 20 km/h, straight offshore. Gorgeous, clean. Energy is 2043—strong but manageable. Another beauty of a morning.

Friday afternoon the swell backs off a bit to 7 ft, same direction and period, with a gentle 15 km/h offshore from the ENE. Clean again, but crowds will be there.

Saturday the 22nd turns average. Morning is 6 ft from the SW with a 14-second period, but wind is a light 5 km/h cross-on from the SSW. Marginal surf—little wind ripples on the face. Afternoon gets worse: 20 km/h from the WSW cross-on, choppy mess. Skip it.

Sunday morning the 23rd is small at 5 ft from the SW, with a 16-second period, but wind picks up to 30 km/h from the SSE, cross-off and clean. Energy drops to 1317, weaker. Afternoon is a write-off: 35 km/h cross-shore from the S, lumpy and poor.

Monday the 24th morning bumps back up: 6 ft from the WSW with a 16-second period, 20 km/h cross-off from the SE. Clean and decent energy at 1699—worth a paddle. Afternoon gets messy again.

The rest of the week into the weekend is mixed. Tuesday the 25th morning is clean but small at 5 ft, dropping energy. Wednesday the 26th sees swell build to 7 ft by afternoon, but wind is cross-on and strong, lumpy. Thursday the 27th morning is the pick of the second half: 10 ft from the SW with a 16-second period, 35 km/h cross-off from the SSE, combined energy hitting a massive 4396. That’s heavy—only for experts. Afternoon ruined by cross-shore.

By Friday the 28th and Saturday the 29th, swell eases and wind stays cross-off but fresh, so clean but smaller. Energy drops below 2000.

Now, circle this: Sunday morning the 30th of August. Swell is only 3 ft from the W with a very long 21-second period—perfect for a reef. Combined energy is 1204, moderate, but the wind is 10 km/h offshore from the ESE. Glassy, clean, and that long period gives shape and power despite the size. Excellent for experienced surfers—a rare one.

Then Monday morning the 31st of August is another standout: 8 ft from the WSW with a 17-second period, combined energy of 3335, and light 10 km/h cross-off from the SSE. Clean, strong, excellent—one of the best on offer. Afternoon winds wreck it, so get out early.

Into the first week of September, swell hangs around the 7 ft to 8 ft mark, but wind is mostly cross-on or onshore, choppy and poor for paddling. A slight chance Wednesday morning the 2nd of September with a light cross-shore, but nothing to write home about. The good stuff dries up until the end, and crowds are inevitable at Turtles when it’s firing.

If you’re not an expert, the 10 ft days are too big. And for the days with strong cross-shore or onshore wind and decent swell, it looks more like a kite surf setup than paddle.

Best windows: Thursday afternoon the 20th through Friday morning the 21st, then Sunday morning the 30th and Monday morning the 31st of August. The long-range stuff on the 30th and 31st is promising but less certain—still, put it on the calendar.

Rusty.

Read more