Venus Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid run of surf on the cards for Venus Bay, but you’ve gotta pick your moments. The window kicks off Sunday, August 16th, with a tidy 4ft SW swell rolling in with a solid 14-second period. It’s cross-offshore from the ESE at 9 mph, keeping things clean. The combined swell energy is moderate at 728, and the water sits at 59°, which is pretty much what you’d expect for this time of year. It’s a good start, not a standout, but a nice way into the week.

Monday, August 17th is where things start to look sweet. Morning brings 4ft SW swell, but it’s that afternoon session that’s the pick. Still 4ft, but the period jumps to 16 seconds, and the wind swings offshore from the East at 9 mph. The combined energy climbs to 1168 – solid moderate energy – and the forecast is calling it excellent for experienced surfers. That’s the best on offer early on, no question. Clean, offshore, and that long-period groundswell will really wrap into the reef.

Tuesday the 18th is a write-off. Wind cranks from the NNE at 19 mph, then N at 22 mph, both cross-off but too strong. The swell drops a touch, and the scores are poor.

Wednesday and Thursday, the 19th and 20th, are rough. Onshore wind from the W and WSW kills the surface. You’re looking at choppy, poor conditions. Swell hangs around 3ft to 4ft, but not worth paddling out for.

Friday the 21st gets interesting again. The swell builds to 5ft from the SW, period sitting at 18 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to 1697 – now we’re talking strong wave energy. But the wind is onshore from the SW at 9 mph, so it’s messy. The morning is a bit better with 4ft and lighter wind, but the quality’s just marginal.

Saturday the 22nd holds 5ft SW swell with 15-16 second periods, energy around 1352 to 1514, but the wind is either light cross or onshore. It’s frustrating – there’s size and power, but the wind isn’t cooperating.

Then we hit Sunday the 23rd, and that’s another standout. Early morning is glassy offshore from the NNE at only 6 mph, with 4ft SW swell and a 14-second period. Combined energy is 1098, and conditions are clean. The reef will be working nicely. If you can get out before the wind swings onshore in the afternoon, that’s your session.

The middle of the second week looks average. Monday the 24th is blown out by strong SSE winds at 22 mph. Tuesday the 25th has a clean morning with 3ft and light offshore from the East, but it’s small. Wednesday the 26th has a glassy morning with tiny 2ft swell – only for the longboard or the patient.

Now, Thursday the 27th brings a shift. Swell direction turns WSW, 5ft with a 10-second period, and moderate offshore wind from the NE at 12 mph. Combined energy is 893. Clean, punchy, and that offshore wind will hold the face open. It’s not the biggest, but it’s clean.

Friday the 28th pushes 6ft WSW swell, period 13 seconds, energy 1413 – strong. Offshore wind from the NNE at 16 mph in the morning, but it turns onshore in the arvo. The morning will be a handful for anyone but experts at that size. Still, clean and powerful.

And then Saturday the 29th – that’s the one to mark on the calendar. Biggest swell of the whole 16 days: 8ft SW with a 17-second period, and combined energy of 3842 – very strong. Wind is light cross-onshore from the SSW at 6 mph. That’s serious groundswell. The reef will handle that period well, but at 8ft it’s for experienced crew only. If the wind stays light, it could be charging. That’s the standout of the whole outlook, but it’s a full 13 days away, so temper expectations.

Sunday the 30th drops back to 4ft SW, and Monday the 31st fades to 3ft with a very long 19-second period. That long period will make for fat, slow lines on the reef – might still be fun for a longer board.

Overall, the first real standout is Monday afternoon, August 17th. The second is Sunday morning, August 23rd. And the big one – the one to keep an eye on – is Saturday morning, August 29th. Crowds are listed as ‘sometimes’ at Venus Bay, so on those standout days, expect company. But with that quality, it’s worth it.

Stay safe, surf well.

Rusty

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