Watermans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and we’ve got a solid run ahead at Watermans, a reef break that’s as exposed as they come to a good WSW swell. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing wild to report. No surf right now, but the gap is tiny—we’re straight into it on Monday morning.

Monday morning the 24th of August kicks things off with a bang. Clean and glassy, wind barely a whisper out of the SE at 3 mph, and the swell is a meaty 7 ft from the WSW with a long period of 14 seconds. That’s a groundswell giving it proper energy, and for a reef, that period and direction are sweet. This is solid, powerful surf for experienced surfers only. Monday afternoon gets a cross-on breeze from the SW, but the swell still holds at 6 ft.

Tuesday the 25th is a write-off. Cross-on wind from the NNW at 12 mph chops up the 4 ft and 6 ft swells. Wednesday the 26th sees heavy rain and big swell—12 ft to 13 ft—but it’s cross-shore and messy. That kind of juice is for experts only, and the conditions aren’t helping.

Thursday morning the 27th of August is a highlight. Clean, light breeze from the S at 6 mph, cross-off wind, with a beautiful 10 ft WSW swell at 16 seconds. That’s a long-period groundswell with strong energy. Watermans handles this size, but it’s big and only for the experienced. The afternoon gets choppy again.

Friday morning the 28th offers another clean window. Light ESE cross-off breeze at 6 mph, and a 6 ft WSW swell with a 13-second period. Solid, clean lines, and more manageable for a wider range of surfers. That’s a standout.

Saturday the 29th we get offshore wind from the ENE at 12 mph in the morning, but the swell is tiny—only 3 ft with a long 19-second period. Clean, but weak for the reef. The afternoon picks up to 6 ft with a 16-second period and lighter offshore breeze, more like it.

Sunday the 30th has a clean 8 ft from the WSW at 16 seconds in the morning, NNE breeze at 9 mph, but it’s only marginal. Monday the 31st brings another glassy afternoon, wind dead calm out of the W at 3 mph, and a 7 ft swell at 17 seconds. That’s a beauty—clean, long lines, for experienced surfers again.

Into September, Tuesday the 1st and Wednesday the 2nd are marginal with cross-shore wind and chop. Friday morning the 4th of September grabs attention again: clean with a gentle S breeze at 9 mph, cross-off wind, and a 7 ft WSW swell at 14 seconds. Good early autumn wave.

Then we get a ripper on Saturday the 5th of September. Glassy in the morning, wind from the WNW at just 3 mph, and a big 10 ft WSW groundswell at 16 seconds with serious energy. That’s a big, clean, powerful session for experts only. The afternoon gets a gentle onshore breeze, same swell size.

Sunday the 6th is clean with a stiff 19 mph S to SE breeze, but the swell holds at 8 ft to 10 ft. Windy but offshore cross-off, it’ll handle for the experienced. Monday the 7th offers fresh offshore wind from the E at 19 mph and a solid 12 ft to 10 ft swell. Pumping and clean, but only for those with plenty of paddle power. Tuesday the 8th winds down with a clean 8 ft from the WSW at 14 seconds.

Best on offer? Monday morning the 24th for that glassy, powerful start, and Saturday morning the 5th of September for the glassy, groundswell bomb. Crowds are possible at Watermans since it’s often busy, so get in early.

Rusty.

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