Turtles Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Hey, Rusty here again, lookin’ at the next couple weeks at Turtles. It’s a consistent reef break that’s wide open to SW swells. Water temp’s around 83°F, which is a touch warmer than average for the season – no complaints there.

Starting Sunday, August 23rd, we’ve got surf but it’s not singin’. Swell’s about 6ft from the SSW with a long 14-second period, and the combined energy is strong (2264). The wind’s blowin’ a fresh 19 mph cross-off from the SE, which keeps things clean but not glassy. The scores are low, and the notes say marginal. That same story runs through Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th – similar heights (4ft to 6ft), long-period SSW/SW swell, but that SE wind stays stiff (22-25 mph), and the energy is moderate to strong (1124-2042). Not the kind of conditions that’ll have you racing to the water.

Wednesday the 26th drops a little (3ft to 4ft) with shorter periods (13-15 seconds), energy down to 715-856. Still clean but underwhelming. Thursday the 27th is the real standout of the first week. Thursday morning we’ve got 5ft SW swell with a very long 19-second period, energy jumps to 2414. That’s a proper groundswell, and on a reef like Turtles, that could mean some real nice, lined-up waves. The afternoon bumps up to 8ft from the SSW, 18 seconds, energy of 3483 – that’s strong. The wind is still a fresh to strong cross-off from the SE (19-22 mph), so it’s not perfect, but that’s the most powerful swell of the run. Friday the 28th holds similar size (7ft to 7ft, SW/SSW, 15-16 seconds) with energy in the 2000-2500 range – solid, but same wind story.

Saturday the 29th drops to 4-5ft and energy down to 772-1060. Sunday the 30th is a bit better with 5-5ft from the S, but the period’s shorter (12-13 seconds) and energy moderate (1088-1185). Wind eases a touch (12-19 mph) – a slight improvement.

Into the second week, Monday the 31st brings back a nice 5-7ft SW swell with 17-18 second period, energy around 2263-2706. That’s a promising pulse, but the wind is still cross-off from the SE at 19-22 mph. Tuesday the 1st of September has the biggest swell of the entire window – 8ft from the SW, 17 seconds, energy of 3128-2949. That’s a powerful, long-period groundswell, but at 8ft it’s firmly in the “experts only” zone for a reef. The wind is still fresh cross-off. It could be a ripper for the experienced crew, but the scores are only middling because of that persistent side-shore wind.

Wednesday the 2nd drops a bit (6-6ft, 16 seconds, energy 1697-1986), then Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th fade fast – down to 3-4ft, shorter period (13-14 seconds), energy below 1000. Saturday the 5th is the smallest of the run, with 2-3ft and energy barely over 600. Then Sunday the 6th brings a bit of a rebound – 6ft from the SSW, 15-16 seconds, energy 1400-1747. Monday the 7th is back to 5-5ft and dropping off.

If I’m calling it, Thursday, August 27th is the pick of the first week – that 8ft SSW swell with 18 seconds and energy of 3483 is the biggest, most powerful groundswell of the window. It’s not glassy because of that cross-off wind, but on a reef, that long-period SW groundswell will produce some proper, well-shaped waves for the experienced surfers. In the second week, Tuesday, September 1st is the one to watch – another 8ft SW groundswell with 17 seconds and strong energy (3128). Again, it’s for the experts, and the wind is still side-shore, but there’s some real grunt there. The rest of the time is mostly marginal with persistent SE cross-off winds keeping things from being epic. Not a total loss, but you’ve gotta pick your moments.

Rusty.

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