Turtles Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's coming down the pipe for this stretch.

We're looking at a solid run of SW groundswell at Turtles, a heavy reef setup only for the experienced. Water temp is sitting at 72°, which is pretty much what you'd expect for this time of year, nothing unusual there.

The start is a bit of a write-off. Sunday the 16th is a no-go – poor conditions, choppy with a cross-onshore mess. Monday the 17th isn't much better with marginal surf and strong onshore wind, so you can sit those first couple of days out.

Now, Tuesday morning the 18th is the real standout of the entire forecast. We've got a big 10ft swell from the WSW, and here's the kicker – clean offshore winds from the ESE. This is exceptional surf, but it's only for advanced guys. The wave energy is pumping hard (5488), and with that 17-second period, it's proper groundswell. It'll be big, powerful and lined up, but on a reef, you need to know what you're doing. The afternoon shifts to a choppy cross-onshore, so don't sleep in for that early session.

From Wednesday the 19th through to the end of the first week, the swell stays in the 7ft to 8ft range with mostly clean conditions thanks to cross-offshore winds from the SE and SSE. It’s going to be consistent and well-shaped, but the wind state is "marginal" on a few of those slots, so check the tide. The wave energy stays well into the thousands – solid moderate to strong energy.

The first week's crowds at Turtles? It’s a known spot that can get busy, so expect some company.

Heading into the second week, the energy drops. Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th see smaller 4ft to 5ft swell, but morning sessions stay clean with light cross-off winds. Not worth getting too excited about, but if you're desperate for a paddle, it's there.

There's a bit of a pulse building again from Wednesday the 26th, with 8ft swell returning, but the wind is a messy cross-onshore, so the quality takes a hit. That setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, to be honest.

The tail end of the run, around Sunday the 31st of August, shows potential. We've got a 8ft to 10ft WSW groundswell with a very long 18-second period. The morning of the 31st has light cross-shore winds, so it's on the cards, but by afternoon it's blown out by a strong SSW wind. That early window is promising, but long-range, so less certain.

Best on offer: Tuesday morning the 18th. 10ft, clean offshore, pumping energy. Expert only. Get it while it's good.

- Rusty

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