Nanwan Beach (South Bay) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s cooking for Nanwan Beach (South Bay) over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, it’s a rough start. The first few days are a write-off with a big, stormy SW swell that’s got a lot of energy (1992) but it’s being trashed by strong cross-shore winds. It’s messy, it’s ugly, and the risk of thunderstorms is a constant buzzkill. For the first week, honestly, you’re better off doing something else. The wind stays stubborn from the west, keeping things cross-off and mostly clean, but the swell is just too wind-affected and the quality is poor. It’s a real grind.

We start to see a glimmer of hope around Wednesday the 12th of August, with the swell dropping to a more manageable 7ft to 7ft from the SW. The wind lightens up a bit, and the surface cleans up. It’s still a marginal call, but the bumps are gone. That trend holds through the weekend, with the swell staying in the 7ft to 8ft range and the wind keeping a clean cross-off angle. The energy is moderate (around 700-900), but the consistency is just okay.

Now, here’s the standout for the whole run. Monday the 17th of August is the day to circle. The morning sees a lighter WSW wind, dropping to a gentle breeze, and the waves are a solid 8ft from the SSW with moderate energy (875). The water temp is about average for the time of year. Then the afternoon gets even better: the wind swings to a light offshore from the NNW at just 3 mph, the sky clears, and the swell is 6ft from the SW. It’s going to be clean, lined up, and way more fun than anything else in the period. The combo of light offshore and a solid SW groundswell is a rare treat here.

The next morning, Tuesday the 18th of August, also looks excellent. The wind goes glassy, calm, and the swell is still a nice 6ft from the SSW. It’s a bit smaller, but the glassy conditions will make it silky smooth. That’s your second-best window.

After that, it’s a slow fade. The wind picks up from the NE again, and the swell drops below 5ft, making it mostly a write-off. By the end of the month, the wind goes onshore from the south, and the swell is on the rise again. Tuesday the 25th of August, the swell is predicted to be a massive 13ft from the SSW with a very long period of 11 seconds and a massive energy reading of 7739. That is way too big for this beach-and-reef setup, and with a cross-shore wind, it’s only for the most experienced, and even then, it’s a dangerous beast. The crowd profile says “often” busy, so expect a full parking lot if you’re brave enough.

So, for the best surf, hit the water on Monday the 17th of August afternoon or Tuesday morning the 18th of August. The rest is a waiting game.

Rusty.

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