Watermans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G'day, it's Rusty here. Let's have a look at the surf ahead for Watermans. This is a reef break, exposed to the swell, and it's going to be a real mixed bag over the next few weeks. The water is sitting at 64°, which is a bit colder than what we'd normally expect for this time of year, so you might want an extra spring suit layer.

The week kicks off properly on Sunday the 12th with a solid 7ft SW groundswell, with a long 15-second period, and the combined energy is a very strong 1788. Morning looks the goods with a light SE breeze keeping it cross-off and clean. This is excellent surf, but at this size and with that long period, it's going to be a bit much for the beginners – definitely one for the experienced crew. The afternoon sees the swell drop a touch to 6ft, but the wind swings more cross-shore, so it's not as clean.

Monday the 13th is your standout of the week. Morning session is the pick: a cracking 8ft SW groundswell, with a very long 17-second period, pumping a massive 2971 in combined energy. The wind is light ESE and offshore, making for glassy conditions. This is a proper groundswell event, and at a reef break like Watermans, it's going to be world-class and clean. Be aware, at 8ft, it's pushing into expert territory. The afternoon drops to 7ft with a cross-shore wind, so it's a bit less appealing.

Tuesday the 14th is another good day. A 7ft WSW swell with a 15-second period, still strong energy at 1655. The morning has a cross-off breeze, but the afternoon is the real treat with a clean offshore wind from the ENE. It's a solid, clean wave for experienced surfers. Wednesday the 15th is a step down, with the swell dropping to 5ft and a cross-shore wind picking up, making for a bit of chop. The swell period is still decent at 14 seconds, but the quality isn't there.

We hit a rough patch from Thursday the 16th. The morning has a 7ft swell but with a lumpy cross-shore wind, and the afternoon is a write-off with a 22 mph cross-on breeze and a risk of thunderstorms. Friday the 17th is similar, with a clean morning giving way to a messy, windy afternoon.

Saturday the 18th is a big one, but not for surfing. The swell is forecast to be a massive 16ft from the WSW with a 19-second period and an insane 15853 combined energy. That's way too big for this break, and it's going to be a mess. The wind is onshore and strong, so it's more of a kite-surfing show than a paddle session. Sunday the 19th is still too big at 10ft, with onshore winds, so you're best off giving it a miss.

There's a long gap of poor conditions here, but we get a glimmer of hope on Monday the 20th. The swell drops to a more manageable 5ft, and the wind is dead calm – glassy conditions. The period is 13 seconds, so it's a solid wave. It's a smaller-scale option, but clean. Tuesday the 21st and Wednesday the 22nd are small, around 4ft to 4ft, but with clean conditions, good for a longboard or a funboard.

Now, the real standout of the entire forecast is Thursday the 23rd. The afternoon session is going to be epic. An 12ft WSW swell, with a very long 17-second period, and a massive 6916 in combined energy. The wind is light and offshore from the NE. That is exceptional, expert-level surf. It's big, it's powerful, and it's clean. The morning is smaller but still a solid 7ft.

Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th are messy with onshore winds and lumpy conditions. The surf is still decent size, but the quality is poor. Sunday the 26th is a write-off with strong cross-shore winds. Finally, Monday the 27th brings a clean finish with a 8ft WSW groundswell, a 16-second period, and a light cross-off breeze. It's a good, solid wave to close out the period.

So, in summary: for the experienced surfer, Sunday the 12th morning is top-notch, but Monday the 13th morning is the absolute best of the first week. The dream swell is Thursday the 23rd afternoon, but that's a long way off, so keep an eye on it. Everything else is either too small, too windy, or too big.

Rusty.

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