Watermans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’ve got a solid 16-day window ahead, but it’s a bit of a mixed bag to start. The main player is Watermans, a reef break that’s consistently exposed to the WSW swell. It’s a beginner-friendly spot, but don’t let that fool you – when the juice is on, it gets serious.

The water at Watermans is running about 64°, which is a bit colder than what we usually get this time of year. Keep the rubber on.

We kick off on Sunday, the 9th of August. The morning brings some clouds and a light NNW breeze, cross-on, with a solid 12 ft swell from the WSW. That’s a very long-period groundswell at 16 seconds, packing a massive punch – we’re talking combined energy of 6270, so that’s plenty of grunt. The afternoon stays cloudy with a stronger onshore wind, so the morning window is the only clean shot, and it’s still marginal with cross-on ripples. Not a standout, but it’s surfable.

Monday the 10th is a write-off – heavy rain and strong winds from the W and SSW, blowing the place out. No go.

Tuesday the 11th sees a drop in wind, but the swell is still 10 ft from the SW with a 16-second period. The morning is cross-shore and the afternoon is light cross-on. The surf is there, but it’s not clean. The energy is still very strong (5383 in the morning). It’s a holding pattern.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Thursday the 13th of August is a real standout. The morning is clear with a light offshore breeze from the ENE. The swell is a clean 7 ft from the SW, with a 16-second period – that’s groundswell, which will love this reef. The energy is still strong (2228). This is the best session of the first week. The waves will be powerful, well-shaped, and clean. It’s rated for experienced surfers, which is spot on – that size and period will push hard. Crowds are something to keep in mind here, as they can be often.

Friday the 14th is also excellent. The morning has a clean cross-off breeze, and the afternoon turns glassy offshore from the E. Same swell – 7 ft, 16 seconds, SW. Two more clean sessions right in a row. This is a solid run.

The weekend of the 15th and 16th sees the swell dip a little, but the afternoon of Saturday the 15th is worth noting. Clear skies, light NNE wind, and a 6 ft WSW swell with a 14-second period. The energy is moderate (1052), but the conditions are clean. It’s a good, relaxed session.

Now, looking ahead to the second week. Monday the 17th of August is a big one. The morning brings a 12 ft SW swell with an 18-second period, and the energy is massive – 8351. The wind is a gentle cross-shore from the S. This is a serious, powerful groundswell. The afternoon is even bigger, with 13 ft waves and 8021 energy, but the wind goes cross-on. The morning is the pick, but be warned: this is expert territory. The water is going to be a washing machine.

After that, things get messy. Tuesday the 18th has a decent morning with clean cross-off winds, but the afternoon brings rain and strong cross-on winds. Wednesday the 19th is a write-off with 16 ft waves and howling onshore winds. That’s kitesurfing territory, not paddle surfing.

The last few days, from the 22nd to the 24th, settle down. The swell drops to 7 ft to 8 ft, with clean conditions and offshore winds, especially on Sunday the 23rd. That’s a nice, manageable end to the run. The 24th of August morning is a bit smaller at 5 ft, but the afternoon is glassy – a perfect, mellow finish.

So, if you’re picking your days: Thursday 13th and Friday 14th of August are your best bets for the first week. Clean, powerful, and consistent. In the second week, Monday 17th of August morning is the standout for the big-wave crew, but it’s not for the faint-hearted. The rest of the second week is a mix of blown-out days and clean, smaller windows.

Right, that’s the picture. Keep your eyes on the horizon, and don’t be late for the early sets.

Rusty.

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