Wonthaggi Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get stuck into it. The next couple of weeks are a bit of a mixed bag around here. There’s a lot of churn and wind in the immediate outlook, and we’re going to have to sit on our hands for a few days before things get properly interesting. The first few days are pretty much a write-off, so don’t be in a rush to get the board out just yet.

The first real option we see is on Friday afternoon the 7th of August. The wind is due to swing offshore and go glassy, and that’s a massive plus. We’ve got a 6ft SW swell rolling in with a 15-second period, and the combined energy is up there at 1506. That’s a solid, moderate pulse of energy, and the cleanliness from the glassy conditions makes it the standout of the first week. It’s a bit bigger, so you’ll want a bit of experience, but the conditions are going to be good. The Wonthaggi break (Bass Coast) is the one to look at here.

The following morning, Saturday the 8th, starts with a bit of cross-off wind and a similar 5ft SW swell, but the energy has dropped a bit to 1170 and the cleanliness isn’t quite as good. It’s rideable, but Friday afternoon is the better bet.

After that we get a couple of rough days. Sunday is blown out, and Monday the 10th of August sees a bump in swell but it’s messy and lumpy. The energy is building to 3370, but the wind is on it and it’s not going to be fun. Monday afternoon sees it get bigger, up to 12ft, but the wind is howling cross-shore and it’s just a mess. We’re looking at a gale on the morning of the 12th, with a huge 12ft swell and 8263 energy, but it’s all cross-shore and blowing like crazy. It’s not a surf day, that’s for sure.

Thursday the 13th of August brings the biggest swell of the period, with a 15ft SW groundswell with a 17-second period and energy at 11143. That’s a serious amount of water moving, but the wind is onshore and it’s just a giant, blown-out lump. There’s no way to surf that cleanly. It calms down a bit on Friday the 14th, but the swell is still too big and the wind is cross-onshore. The data says it’s too big for the break, and I’d agree. It’s not worth the risk.

The first week and a bit are looking pretty grim. We’ve got a long gap of poor conditions from the 9th to the 17th, with only a few marginal windows that are way too big or too windy. It’s a long stretch of nothing.

Now, let’s talk about the standouts. The real gold is at the back end of the forecast. The morning of Tuesday the 18th of August is looking good. We have clear skies, a light cross-offshore wind, and a 4ft SW swell with a 15-second period. The energy is only 1093, so it’s on the moderate side, but the cleanliness is the key. It’s clean surf, and the long period is going to give it some shape. That’s a good, fun day.

But the real pick of the whole run is Tuesday afternoon the 18th. The wind goes glassy, and we’ve got a 5ft SW swell with a 16-second period. The energy is 1057, and the conditions are described as “glassy.” That’s the best word in the surf forecast. It’s cleaner and more lined up than the morning, and that’s the one to get excited about. It’s going to be clean, consistent, and the long period will make it feel like a proper groundswell. That’s the standout.

The following morning, Wednesday the 19th, is also a good option. Light cross-offshore wind, 5ft SW swell with a 14-second period, and clean conditions. The energy is a bit lower at 916, but it’s still a solid morning surf. The afternoon gets a bit more chop in it, so the morning is the call.

So, to be honest, it’s a slow start, a week of waiting, and then a couple of good days at the end. The Tuesday the 18th afternoon is the one to circle. It’s a long way out, so it’s promising but we’ll have to keep an eye on it. The Wednesday morning is also a decent backup. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Rusty.

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