Windmills Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on offer for the next couple of weeks.

Well, straight up, I’m going to be honest with you – this is a rough stretch. We’re looking at a solid 16-day window, but the surf is going to be a struggle for most of it. The wind is locked in from the ENE, just blowing cross-shore the whole time, and that’s going to mess up any chance of getting clean, lined-up waves. The first few days are a total write-off. Tuesday the 25th, you’re looking at 0.7ft of windswell with a short period – that’s barely a ripple. The combined energy is a measly 8, so don’t even bother. The water temp is sitting at 81°F, which is about average for this time of year.

Things start to pick up a little from Wednesday the 26th, but honestly, the quality is still poor. The swell height climbs to 4ft on Wednesday morning, hitting 5ft by the afternoon, but it’s short-period windswell (5 seconds) and the wind is fresh and cross-shore. The combined energy climbs to 100, then 132, but it’s lumpy and messy. That’s the story for the next week and a half – the swell builds, but the wind just won’t cooperate. By the end of August, we’re seeing 6ft on the 30th with a 7-second period, and the energy is getting up there (253), but it’s still cross-shore and chopped up.

The best of a bad bunch comes in the second week. We start September with a bit of hope. The swell direction swings to the NE on the 1st, and the period pushes out to 8 seconds. By Wednesday the 2nd, the wind drops to a gentle breeze (9 mph), but it’s still cross-shore so there’s still a bit of chop. The combined energy hits 229 on the afternoon of the 2nd. It’s not great, but it’s the best we’ve seen.

For the standout, I’d have to point to Saturday the 5th of September. The morning sees a 5ft swell from the ENE with a very long period of 12 seconds and a combined energy of 716. That’s a proper groundswell. The wind is a moderate cross-shore (16 mph), so it’s not glassy, but the energy is there. Even though the score is only marginal, the long period means there’s real shape potential. Windmills is a reef break, so it’s the right spot for a long-period swell like this. It’s advanced, fairly consistent, and often crowded, so expect company. The swell direction is ENE, which is close to the optimum NNW, so it’s not ideal, but it’s the best we’ve got.

Sunday the 6th is similar, with a 5ft to 6ft ENE swell and an 11-second period, combined energy of 739 and 764. Again, marginal, but with that long period, it’s the only window where you might get a few decent ones. Just keep an eye on the wind – it’s still cross-shore, so it won’t be perfect.

After that, it fades. Monday the 7th drops to 4ft, and by Tuesday the 8th it’s back to 3ft. The only real glimmer is Wednesday the 9th, when the wind finally goes cross-offshore (19 mph) and the swell is 6ft with an 11-second period. That’s 754 combined energy. It’s clean, but it’s still a fresh breeze, so it’ll be a bit bumpy. Still, that’s the cleanest the wind gets in the whole outlook.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a bust. The second week has a few days where the swell has real energy and period, but the wind is always a problem. If you’re a dedicated surfer, aim for the 5th, 6th, or 9th of September. It’s not going to be epic, but it’s the only surf on offer.

Rusty.

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