Zampa (Inside) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s have a look at what we’ve got for Zampa (Inside). It’s a reef setup, and you’re going to need to be at least intermediate plus to have any fun here. The water temp is sitting at 83°, which is pretty standard for this time of year, no surprises there.

Honestly, for the next few days, it’s a bit rough. Wednesday and Thursday are a write-off with a solid 10ft swell from the NW, but the wind is howling from the SW at 37 mph, making it a mess. The combined energy is through the roof at 1353, but who cares when it’s blown out? It’s just a battle out there. Thursday morning is a little cleaner with a cross-offshore breeze, but it’s still a 8ft swell with only a 10-second period, and the forecast says it’s marginal.

Friday morning is the first real glimmer. The swell drops to 4ft from the W, period holding at 10 seconds, but the wind swings to a clean offshore from the SE at 19 mph. The wave energy is moderate at 337, and the conditions are clean. It’s not pumping, but it’s surfable. Get out there early if you want a few.

Saturday is fading fast. A 2ft swell from the W on Saturday morning, and then Saturday afternoon it’s a tiny 1ft from the ENE with a very long 13-second period, but it’s not doing anything – wave energy is only 45.

Sunday through Monday is dead. The swell basically disappears, and the wind is strong and messy. You’re looking at a gap of a few days with no real surf.

Now, things get interesting again towards the end of the first week of September, but it’s a real “look but don’t touch” scenario. Wednesday, the 2nd of September, we get a huge 12ft to 13ft swell from the N and NNW, with the combined energy hitting a massive 2135 to 2760. That is serious power. But the wind is a severe gale. Wednesday morning it’s offshore at 47 mph – just ridiculous to even think about paddling out. Wednesday afternoon the wind swings cross-offshore but still at 50 mph. This is more of a kite-surfing show than a surf session; no one is getting a wave on a paddle board.

Thursday the 3rd is even bigger – a 16ft swell from the NW with an 11-second period, energy hitting 5391. But again, the wind is a cross-shore near gale at 34 mph. It’s dangerous and messy.

Now, the good stuff. Look ahead to Saturday the 5th of September and Sunday the 6th. That’s your best bet. We get a 7ft to 6ft swell from the NNW, period around 10-12 seconds, and the wind is a steady offshore from the SE at 12-19 mph. The energy drops down to a still strong 1381 by Saturday, but the conditions are clean, offshore, and the forecast actually says “expect very good surf conditions”. On Sunday morning the wave energy is 726, but the wind is light offshore at 12 mph – glassy, clean, and the swell is a consistent 6ft. That’s the standout window. Get on it. It’s for intermediates and up – the swell is a bit too much for beginners, but for anyone with a bit of experience, it’ll be a treat. The swell direction from the NNW is perfect for this exposed reef. Could get a few people out there as crowds are marked as “often”, so don’t expect to have it to yourself.

After that, it fades again into the second week. Small, weak, and windy. Not worth the drive.

Best on offer: Sunday the 6th of September morning, with that clean 6ft NNW swell and light offshore winds.

Rusty

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