Zero Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get stuck into what’s on the table for the next couple of weeks.

Straight up, we’re looking at a pretty lean stretch. The first week is quiet, with only tiny pulses and mostly onshore or cross-onshore winds messing things up. The one break on the radar is Zero, a point break that’s exposed to the SSW. It’s a beginner-friendly spot, but note this one rarely breaks and it’s inconsistent, so you’ve got to be patient and pick your moments. The real action, if you can call it that, doesn’t start to look half decent until the second week.

The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing too wild.

Friday 7th August through to Monday 10th August is a write-off. Swell is tiny, 2ft to 2ft, and the wind is on it or cross-on. The wave energy is weak (values between 219 and 348), and the period is a very long 19 seconds at first, which is a proper groundswell, but it’s just too small to do anything with. The surf is poor.

Tuesday 11th to Thursday 13th stays similar. Same small 2ft to 2ft stuff, mostly onshore or cross-on winds. The energy drops into the 190s and 200s, so it’s weak. The period is still long, between 13 and 18 seconds, but with no size, it’s a wait-and-see situation. Not worth paddling out.

Friday 14th August we start to see a little more energy, with the combined energy jumping to 412 and 514, but it’s still only 2ft to 2ft. The wind is cross-on, and the surf is still marginal. Not a goer.

Saturday 15th August is the first bright spot. *Saturday morning* has 3ft SSW swell with a 16-second period, but the wind is onshore. The *afternoon* is where it’s at: the wind swings to WNW at 9 mph, which is a clean cross-off at Zero. The energy is strong (508), and the forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” This is your standout. For a break that rarely breaks, this is a rare treat. The 3ft might sound small, but with that long period and clean wind, it’ll be lined up and fun for a longboard or a fish. Crowds are possible here, so get in early.

Sunday 16th August morning has the wind on it again, ruining the 3ft swell. The *afternoon* cleans up with WNW 12 mph cross-off, but the swell has dropped to 3ft. It’s marginal, but better than nothing.

Monday 17th to Wednesday 19th is a mixed bag. Mornings have light cross-on winds and small 2ft to 3ft swell. The afternoons, with WNW winds at 9-12 mph, offer clean cross-off conditions. The energy is moderate (218-311). It’s okay, but not as good as the 15th.

Thursday 20th August is back to marginal, with cross-shore winds and a dropping 2ft swell.

Friday 21st August afternoon shows a little bump: 3ft SSW swell, period 16 seconds, and energy jumping to 518. The wind is light cross-on, so it’s not clean, but it’s worth a look if you’re desperate.

Saturday 22nd August morning finishes the run with onshore wind and 3ft swell. Poor.

So, to sum it up: the one clear winner is Saturday 15th August afternoon at Zero. Clean cross-off winds, a 3ft SSW groundswell with a long 16-second period, and strong wave energy. It’s inconsistent and rarely breaks, so don’t sleep on it. If you miss that, the afternoons of the 17th, 18th, and 19th offer some clean but smaller options.

Rusty.

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