Xa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s cut to it – the next two weeks here are a right rollercoaster, but mostly the kind you want to get off. There’s surf, but the wind is going to ruin a lot of it. The first week is pretty grim, but we do get a proper boost of energy in the second week that might make it worth paddling out.

Starting Tuesday the 18th, we’ve got a small 4ft swell out of the east, with a period of 7 seconds. The wind’s a light cross-onshore from the north-northeast at 6 mph, and the water temp is 73°, which is about average for this time of year. Unfortunately, the forecast says it’s marginal, and the combined wave energy is only 224 (weak to moderate). Not much to write home about. Tuesday arvo, the wind picks up to 16 mph, making it choppy. Wednesday the 19th and Thursday the 20th are more of the same: messy cross-shore winds and lumpy conditions. Friday the 21st kicks up a bit to 5ft from the north-east, but the period is a short 6 seconds and it’s cross-onshore again – poor. Saturday the 22nd morning cleans up a touch with a light cross-offshore wind from the south-south-west at 16 mph, but the swell drops to 3ft. Still poor. Sunday the 23rd drops even further to 2ft and 2ft, but we get a 10-second period and gentle winds. The energy is low (115 and 99), and it’s just not enough.

Monday the 24th morning is a slightly better option. A 3ft south swell with an 11-second period, light cross-offshore winds, and clean conditions. The combined energy climbs to 183 (moderate), but the forecast says it’s only “surfable waves but very ordinary”. It’s the best of a bad bunch early on.

Now, Tuesday the 25th is where we get a pulse. A 4ft south-south-east swell with a very long period of 14 seconds – that’s proper groundswell. The wind is light onshore from the east-south-east at 6-9 mph, and the combined energy jumps to 749 (strong). This is serious energy, and for Xa, being a reef break exposed to the east, that long period should wrap in nicely. The catch is the forecast calls it marginal with questionable tide conditions, and the wind is onshore, which will put a crinkle on the face. But if the tide plays ball, there could be some big, clean lines rolling through. This is the first real standout, but it’s a week out, so stay tuned.

Wednesday the 26th morning keeps the energy with a 3ft south-south-east swell at 13 seconds and combined energy of 549 (strong), but a cross-shore wind from the north at 9 mph keeps it from being perfect. Thursday the 27th through Monday the 1st of September is a long stretch of poor surf, with strong onshore winds and lumpy conditions. The swell gets bigger again on Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th, with 8ft and 7ft from the north-east on Saturday afternoon, but the wind is fresh cross-onshore and lumpy – that’s expert-only and a slog.

For the best of the two weeks, I’d say Tuesday the 25th and Wednesday the 26th are your windows. The energy is strong (749 and 549), the swell direction from the south-south-east is ideal for Xa’s east-facing reef, and the period is in that beautiful groundswell zone. The wind isn’t perfect, but a light breeze can glass off at times. The rest of the period is mostly blown out or too small. Hang in there, mate – the ocean might surprise us.

Rusty.

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