Vilas Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you about the surf situation for the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a long stretch ahead, and honestly, it’s one of those outlooks where you might want to save your energy for something else.

Looking at the whole 16-day window, there’s a real lack of quality right now. The combined swell energy is weak for the most part, and the wind is almost always onshore or cross-onshore, keeping things messy. The water temp is sitting at 79°F, which is pretty much just your average August water temperature, nothing special.

We start off with a gap of no surf on offer. The first few days, from Monday, August 3rd through to at least Thursday, August 6th, are all scoring zeros. The wind is onshore, and the swell is short-period and weak. On Monday morning, we’re looking at a 3ft SSE swell with a period of 8 seconds and combined energy of only 224, which is weak. Just poor surf conditions.

Tuesday, August 4th, the swell bumps up a bit to 5ft from the ESE with a period of 8 seconds, but the wind is still onshore. The energy climbs to 417 (moderate), but the comment says it all: poor surf conditions. The same story continues through Wednesday and Thursday. By Wednesday morning, August 5th, we get a marginal rating, but it’s still not something to get excited about.

Friday, August 7th, through to the end of the first week, we see a shift to cross-onshore winds, but the swell stays small and short-period, mostly between 3ft and 4ft from the E or ESE. The energy is moderate, but the wind keeps it choppy. It’s just not surfable.

The second week doesn’t get much better. A persistent pattern of onshore and cross-onshore winds, with swell heights that rarely get over 5ft. The period is almost always 7 to 8 seconds, which is short-period windswell, offering weak, crumbly waves. The combined energy values are moderate, but the wind and swell direction are just not aligning.

The only notable thing happens around Thursday, August 13th, and into the weekend. We see a bump in swell from the S and SSE, with some longer period energy. On Thursday afternoon, August 13th, the swell hits 8ft from the SE with a period of 8 seconds and a combined energy of 976 (strong). But the wind is onshore, and the surf conditions are still rated poor. This is a big, messy, and dangerous option, only for experts if you’re desperate, but expect it to be blown out and lumpy. By Saturday, August 15th, we get a 4ft swell from the S with a very long period of 17 seconds, energy at 899. That’s a classic groundswell, but the wind is a strong cross-onshore at 16 mph, making it messy. The long period would be better suited to a point or reef, but here it’s just going to be a lumpy, closed-out mess.

The last few days of the outlook, from August 17th onwards, are a repeat of the same: onshore winds, small to moderate swell, poor conditions. There is no standout here. Not a single day offers a clean, rideable wave. The setup is more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, given the persistent onshore winds and moderate energy.

So, what’s the best on offer? Honestly, there isn’t a true standout. If you had to pick a time, the long-period groundswell on Saturday, August 15th, has the most potential, but the wind kills it. It’s a classic case of the ocean giving us energy but with a side of chop. I’d stay dry for this one. Forecasts can change, but right now, this is a waiting game.

Rusty.

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