Yonabaru Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s get into it.

First off, I gotta be straight with you – the start of this outlook is a real struggle. From Wednesday the 26th of August right through to the end of the month, we’re looking at a run of flat to junky, blown-out conditions. It’s pretty grim. The winds are howling from the southwest and south, throwing up cross-off and cross-shore junk that’s just not worth paddling out for. The swell is tiny and weak, with combined energy barely scratching 100 at best. It’s a write-off for a few days. There’s a long gap with no real surf to speak of.

Then, as we roll into Monday the 31st of August, things start to get interesting, but it’s still messy. The swell picks up to 6ft from the ESE with a period of 10 seconds, but the wind is a fresh cross-onshore, making it lumpy. The energy is climbing though (678). By Monday afternoon, the swell hits 8ft from the ESE, and the energy jumps to 1830 – that’s moderate to strong – but the wind is still cross-shore and lumpy. It’s marginal, a real “maybe” session.

Now, here’s where we get a real standout. Tuesday morning, September 1st, the wind shifts to a cross-off from the NNW at 30 km/h, and the swell is 7ft from the ESE with a 12-second period. The energy is strong (1273). That’s clean, powerful groundswell. Tuesday afternoon is even better with a cross-off from the NW and 5ft of SE swell, but the period drops to 13 seconds, which is still long period. The energy is even higher (1447). This is the best window in the first week.

But the real highlight, the one you’ve been waiting for, is Wednesday, September 2nd. The morning brings a 10ft swell from the east, with a 14-second period. That’s a very long period groundswell, and the energy is massive (5773). The wind is a clean cross-off from the NW. In the afternoon, the swell jumps to 13ft from the NW with a 10-second period, and the energy is still huge (4437). The wind is a moderate cross-off. Now, here’s the catch: this is Yonabaru, a beginner break. At 10ft to 13ft, this is expert territory. The swell is too big for learners, and the direction is coming from the NW, which is not the optimum NE direction for this spot in the guidance. It’s going to be a big, powerful, and potentially dangerous wave. For the experienced crew, it’s going to be a session to remember, but it’s not for the faint of heart. The water temp is about 84°F, which is normal for the time of year.

Thursday, September 3rd, cleans up nicely. The morning is a gem: a 10ft swell from the NNW with a 12-second period, and the wind is a light cross-off from the NW at just 5 km/h. The energy is strong (2454). This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. The wind is almost glassy, so expect clean, lined-up waves. That’s the pick of the day.

After that, the surf drops off a cliff again. From Thursday afternoon through to the end of the 16-day window, we’re back to small, weak, and mostly onshore wind conditions. The swell goes tiny, and the energy levels are pathetic (15 to 885). There’s a brief pulse on Monday, September 7th, with a 8ft swell from the NNW and glassy conditions in the morning, but it’s a short-lived window and the wind turns onshore later. It’s a tease.

So, the bottom line: the best surf on offer is the big swell window from Tuesday, September 1st, through Thursday, September 3rd. The standout is Wednesday, September 2nd, but it’s for experts only. If you’re a beginner, stay well clear. The long period swells will be breaking a bit straight at Yonabaru, which is a beach break, so you’ll need to find the banks. Crowds are possible at Yonabaru, so get in early.

Rusty.

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