Wurtulla Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – the outlook for Wurtulla over the next 16 days is a tough one. We’re looking at a long, grim stretch where the wind and the swell just can’t get their act together. Honestly, for the first week, it’s a write-off. From Friday the 14th right through to Thursday the 20th, every single session is tagged with “poor surf conditions.” The wind is either a messy cross-on or a lumpy cross-shore, and the swell is short-period, wind-affected junk. The water temperature is sitting at 68°F, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a good steamer.

The combined swell energy is weak to moderate, hitting a peak of 531 on Monday the 17th, but with 19 mph cross-onshore winds, that 7 ft to 7 ft swell is just a wind-blown mess. It’s too big for beginners anyway, but even for the experienced crew, it’s not breaking clean. This is the kind of setup that looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

We finally get a tiny window of hope on Friday the 21st of August. The morning shows a glassy clean surface with a 3 ft swell from the ENE at 7 seconds. The wind is dead calm. The combined energy is only 136, so it’s weak, but for the first time in a week, the water will be smooth. It’s surfable, but barely. Still, after all that wind, a glassy 3 ft wave feels like a gift. The crowd factor is “often” at Wurtulla, so with it being a Friday, you might have a few others with the same idea.

Saturday the 22nd morning is also worth a mention. We get a clean, light cross-offshore breeze from the NW with a 3 ft swell. The combined energy is still low at 102, but it’s clean. It’s small, and it’s weak, but it’s the best we’ve got.

Then it’s back to the grind. From Saturday afternoon through to the end of the forecast on the 29th, it’s a repeat of onshore winds and messy, weak waves. The energy drops right off into the 20s and 30s, with swell heights barely reaching 2 ft. The long period swell that shows up on the 28th (12 seconds, 1 ft) is a tease – it’s too small to do anything with, and the wind is already starting to get scratchy again.

So, the standout? There isn’t a real standout. The best on offer is the Friday 21st morning glass-off. It’s the only time the wind truly cooperates. If you’re desperate for a paddle, that’s your window. Otherwise, this forecast is a long, dry spell with a few tiny, clean moments that won’t last.

Rusty out.

Read more