Windansea Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, it's Rusty, and I'm breaking down the next 16 days for Windansea. This is a classic reef break that needs a clean wind to show its true colors, and right now, we're stuck in a pattern of mostly messy conditions with a few bright spots, especially a standout day further out.

The water temperature is about normal for this time of year, so nothing strange there.

The first surf to get excited about is on the morning of Friday, August 28th. There's a tiny 2-foot groundswell from the SW, but with a very long 16-second period. The energy is moderate (391), you'll feel the pulse, but the wind is a light cross-onshore breeze. On a reef, that long-period swell would love to draw out a beautiful line, but that onshore wind just kills the surface. It's marginal at best.

Saturday, August 29th, has a real window. The morning shows 4 feet of SW groundswell with a solid 15-second period, and the wind shifts to a light W, which is offshore! The energy is climbing into a strong range (649). That's a real opportunity for clean, well-shaped waves. The afternoon though, the wind turns onshore and stronger, making a mess of it. That Saturday morning session is your best bet for the entire first week.

From there, it’s a tough run. The wind is mostly from the WNW, which is offshore, but it's rarely a light breeze. It's mostly a "gentle breeze" or "moderate breeze" that blows cross-onshore, leaving the surface choppy. The swell sticks around, from 2 feet to 4 feet, with periods from 11 to 16 seconds, but the wave report keeps saying "poor" or "marginal." The scores are low. It's like the ocean is teasing you.

The real standout arrives on Tuesday, September 8th. The morning is a dream scenario: a light offshore wind from the W at 6 mph, with a 5-foot SSW groundswell. The energy is strong, hitting 830. That’s overhead, clean, and powerful. The wave period is 13 seconds, so it’ll have good energy and shape on the reef. The afternoon gets bigger, up to 6 feet, but the wind turns cross-onshore and brings chop, so hit it early.

Wednesday morning, September 9th, is also big: 6 feet of SSW swell, but with a shorter 11-second period. The wind is a gentle cross-onshore. This is a punchy, powerful wave that's only for experienced surfers. It’s the biggest size of the whole run, but the shorter period means it will be a bit more challenging and walled-up than Tuesday’s long-period swell.

After the 9th, the swell quickly drops. There’s a moment on the 10th with light offshore wind but only 3 to 3 feet of swell.

The best wave of this whole forecast is the morning of Tuesday, September 8th. You’ve got a clean 5-foot groundswell, light offshore wind, and strong energy. The crowd at Windansea is "often," so you'll have company, but it will be worth it for those glassy, long-running lines.

Be patient, pick your session, and don't bother with the wind-blown days. One great session is better than a week of frustration.

Rusty.

Read more