Turtles Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright surfers – Rusty here. We’ve only got one spot on the radar for the next couple weeks, and it’s a beauty for the crew that’s ready for it. This is not beginner territory, so keep that in mind.

The big story is a long run of good-to-excellent groundswell at Turtles, a reef break that demands respect. The water’s sitting right around 73°, which is pretty average for this time of year, so nothing weird there.

We kick things off Monday afternoon, but that’s a write-off: cross-onshore wind and lumpy conditions on a 7 ft SW swell. Don’t bother.

The real show starts Tuesday morning, August 11. We’ve got a 7 ft SSW swell at 10 seconds, but the wind is a strong 25 mph cross-offshore, keeping it clean. The combined energy is already pumping (1722). Tuesday afternoon bumps up to a 10 ft SW swell with a 16-second period – that’s proper groundswell, and the energy is massive (3916). That’s expert territory, and the cross-off wind holds.

Wednesday, August 12, is the standout. Morning has a 8 ft SW swell at 16 seconds with fresh offshore wind from the ESE. Clean as a whistle. But Wednesday afternoon is the pick: 8 ft SW, 16-second period, moderate offshore wind, and the conditions are dialed for experienced surfers (2516 combined energy). This is the session to book around.

Thursday morning, August 13, is still clean with a cross-off breeze on 6 ft SW, but Thursday afternoon is better: light breeze, clean, 6 ft SW at 15 seconds, excellent conditions for good surfers (1486 energy).

Friday morning, August 14, is another gem. A 7 ft WSW groundswell with a 17-second period – that’s very long period, so the waves will have serious push. Light cross-off wind, clean, and a solid 2342 energy reading. Excellent.

Saturday morning, August 15, serves up gentle offshore wind on a 6 ft SW swell. Clean and good.

Sunday morning, August 16, is glassy. Absolutely glassy. 5 ft SW at 13 seconds, no wind. The energy is lower (805), but it’ll be smooth and fun. Afternoon turns to cross-on chop though.

Now, heading into the second week, the pattern holds but the winds get trickier. Monday, August 17, brings a 7 ft WSW swell with onshore wind – not ideal, but the quality is marginal, not terrible. Tuesday, August 18 morning has a 8 ft WSW swell (3336 energy) with cross-off wind, clean. That’s a big one. Wednesday morning, August 19, has a 8 ft WSW swell with onshore wind again.

The later part of the week (August 20–22) gets messy with strong onshore winds and lumpy conditions. Some big swells (over 10 ft at times) but the wind wrecks it. Not recommended for paddle surfing – that setup on the beach might be more interesting for kite folks.

Sunday, August 23, has a 8 ft WSW swell with light cross-on wind, marginal but maybe worth a look. Monday, August 24, morning is 6 ft SW with gentle cross-on chop.

The clear winner across the whole period: Wednesday afternoon, August 12. That’s the one. Moderate offshore, clean, 8 ft SW at 16 seconds, excellent conditions.

Keep in mind Turtles is fairly consistent but can be inconsistent at times – it’s a reef, so when it’s on, it’s on, but don’t expect non-stop action. Crowds are often, so you’ll have company. This swell comes from the SSW to WSW, and the spot loves it. The 17-second period on Friday the 14th will make the reef work its magic – the waves will have serious shape and the lulls between sets will let you get back out easy.

Stay safe, respect the locals, and paddle hard.

Rusty

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