Watermans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s talk about the surf at Watermans, a reef set-up that’s exposed to the swell. The water temp is sitting at 64°F, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year—about 2°F cooler, so you’ll want a decent spring suit. The outlook kicks off midday on Wednesday, August 12th, with a solid SW groundswell hanging around 7–7 ft, a very long 15–16 second period, and moderate wave energy (1983). That kind of period means better-shaped waves and longer lulls between sets, which is a classic reef-swell combo. But Wednesday afternoon has a cross-onshore wind that’s making it choppy—not the best.

Thursday morning, August 13th, is a standout. The swell is 7 ft from the SW, period stretching to 16 seconds, and the wind is offshore from the ENE at just 3 mph. The water is clean, energy is strong (2299), and the conditions are excellent for experienced surfers. This is the pick of the first week—big, long-period groundswell with glassy-offshore wind. It’s a reef break, so it will handle that long period beautifully. The Saturday afternoon, August 15th, is also worth a mention: 6 ft WSW swell, 14 seconds, and glassy calm with zero wind. Clean conditions and moderate energy (1212), ideal for a fun session.

Now, Sunday and Monday (August 16th–17th) get messy. The wind swings onshore and picks up to 19–31 mph, with the swell jumping to 12 ft on Monday afternoon. That’s too big for beginners and only for the brave. The combined energy hits 7142, but the wind is a mess—nearly gale force—so it’s a write-off.

Then comes Tuesday, August 18th. If you’re an expert, this is your moment. The morning has a 13 ft WSW swell, 15 seconds, and glassy conditions with a slight air from the WSW. The wave energy is huge (6589), and the water is dead calm. That’s exceptional surf, but it’s properly big—only for those who know what they’re doing. The afternoon stays big but with a light onshore wind, making it a bit tricky.

The rest of the week (August 19th–23rd) is a mixed bag of strong winds, lumpy seas, and big swell. Wednesday, August 19th, has a fresh cross-shore wind, and the 15 ft swell from the W on the afternoon is just messy. By Thursday, August 20th, the swell is still 12–15 ft with cross-onshore winds, and the energy is through the roof (8279–10342), but it’s not surfable for paddling—kite surfers might have a look. Saturday, August 22nd, has a 16 ft WSW swell, 18 seconds, and onshore wind, but it’s glassy in the morning—still, that’s a monster wave, only for the most experienced.

The second week opens up nicely on Monday, August 24th. The morning has a 8 ft WSW swell, 16 seconds, and a clean offshore cross-off wind from the SE at 6 mph. Energy is strong (2629). That’s a solid, clean session. Tuesday, August 25th, is the real gem. Morning: 5 ft WSW swell, 13 seconds, offshore wind from the E at 6 mph, clean. Afternoon: 3 ft WSW swell, but the period jumps to 21 seconds—very long groundswell—with a light cross-off breeze. The energy is still moderate (1342), and the water is clean. That afternoon session is a standout for the second week: small but long-period, clean, and easy paddling. Perfect for a reef.

Wednesday, August 26th, is okay but windy, and from Thursday, the wind turns onshore again, dropping the quality. The swell stays small (4–4 ft) but the wind is fresh onshore, so it’s not worth the paddle.

Overall, the best waves are Thursday morning, August 13th, and Tuesday afternoon, August 25th. The first is big, long-period, and offshore; the second is smaller but with a very long period and glassy conditions. The big stuff in between is for experts only.

Rusty.

Read more