Yonabaru Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s cookin’ for the next couple of weeks.

We’re looking at a bit of a wild ride here, honestly. The start of the window is already a bit of a washout for clean surfing. The good news is that the water is 87°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t be cold while you’re waiting for something decent.

The first real chance to get wet comes up on Tuesday afternoon, the 4th of August, at Yonabaru. We’ve got some swell pushing in at 5ft from the east, but the wind is blowing onshore from the ENE at 9 mph. The wave energy is there (1555), but it’s going to be a bit scrappy and the tide might not be playing ball. It’s a marginal call, but there’s something to ride if you’re desperate.

Wednesday the 5th sees the swell building, but things get messier. The morning has 7ft of east swell but with a cross-onshore wind, it’s gonna be choppy. By the afternoon, the wind picks up to 16 mph and the swell hits 8ft, turning it into a bit of a washing machine. This is getting into the territory where it’s a bit much for the beginners, and the conditions are poor.

Thursday the 6th is a write-off. We’re looking at a massive 15ft to 16ft of east swell, but the wind is howling from the north at 25 mph, creating a horrible cross-chop. The wave energy is through the roof (over 15000), but it’s just a mess for paddle surfing. Honestly, this setup looks way more interesting for kite surfing than trying to get a wave on a longboard.

Friday the 7th is a weird one. The swell is absolutely pumping – 16ft in the morning and 25ft by the afternoon. The wind is blowing cross-offshore at 43-53 mph, which is a gale. The file says the wind and tide are favorable, but look, 25ft of swell with 53 mph winds is not for the faint of heart. This is big, powerful, and dangerous. Only for absolute experts with a death wish, and even then, it’s a massive risk. The wave energy numbers are staggering (23790 and 26839), but this is not a day to be in the water unless you’re a tow-in pro.

From Saturday the 8th through to the 19th, the surf drops off a cliff. We’re looking at a long stretch of tiny, weak waves. The swell drops to 5ft and smaller, but the wind is still a problem. Saturday has violent storm-force winds, making it dangerous just to paddle out. By the time we get to Monday the 11th, the swell is down to 2ft, and the energy is under 150. It’s just flat and weak.

There is a tiny glimmer on Wednesday the 12th, with a glassy afternoon session. The swell is only 3ft from the northwest with a period of 10 seconds, and the wind is dead calm. It’s small, but it could be clean and fun for a longboard. The wave energy is a paltry 285. It’s the best of a bad bunch, but it’s nothing to get excited about.

After that, it’s just days and days of 2ft to 3ft dribble from the east, with weak energy and poor conditions. The last glimmer is on the 19th of August, with a 4ft east swell, but the wind is onshore and messy again.

The standout, if you can call it that, is that glassy afternoon on Wednesday the 12th of August. It’s the only time the wind lays down and the conditions are clean. The swell is small, but it’s rideable. For everything else, honestly, save your energy. The first week is blown out by huge storms, and the second week is just flat. It’s a tough outlook.

Rusty.

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