Yonabaru Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – the next couple of weeks are looking pretty grim for a paddle. We’ve got a long stretch of nothing good to ride, so don’t be in a rush to wax up.

The only spot on the radar is Yonabaru. It’s a beginner-friendly, fairly consistent break that’s fairly exposed, but it’s going to be a long wait. The first week, from August 7th right through to the 14th, is a total write-off. The wind is howling, with gale-force gusts on Friday the 7th hitting 50 mph, and we’ve got stormy conditions and poor surf. The combined swell energy is off the charts in a bad way – over 8000 on Friday morning – but it’s totally unsurfable. You’ll see a few small bumps of 2 ft to 3 ft from the east, but the wind is either cross, onshore, or just too strong. Leave the board at home.

There’s a glimmer of hope right at the end of the run. On Saturday, August 15th, we finally get a break in the rubbish. The wind swings offshore from the west, and we get a clean, glassy morning session. The waves are small, only 2 ft, but the easterly swell has a long 11-second period, so there’s a bit of push. The combined energy is moderate (122) and the conditions are clean. It’s not a standout in size, but after all that wind and chaos, it’s the best we’ve got. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so no need for a thick wetsuit.

After that, it’s back to small, weak, and onshore slop through the rest of the week. Sunday the 16th has a brief moment of offshore wind, but the swell is a mixed-up 3 ft from the northwest with a short 7-second period – not worth the effort. By Monday the 17th, the wind switches back onshore and it’s choppy again. The last week, from the 18th to the 22nd, is a flat, onshore mess with barely any energy. Swell heights drop to 1 ft, periods are short, and the combined energy is weak (24 to 103). It’s a classic dead spell for the area.

So, if you’re desperate, Saturday the 15th is the only call. It’s small and clean, and you’ll have the place to yourself. But honestly, this is a kite surfer’s forecast for the first week, not a surfer’s. Keep your eyes on the charts, things can change, but for now, it’s a long wait.

Rusty.

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