Nanwan Beach (South Bay) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s break down what’s cookin’ in the deep south of Taiwan.

First off, the first week is a total dud. Don’t bother with Nanwan Beach (South Bay) until things clean up. There’s a long dry spell with no good recommendations until around July 22nd.

From the 13th through the 21st, it’s ugly. Onshore and cross-onshore winds, often fresh to strong, with thunderstorms threatening. There’s swell in the water – heights from 6 ft to 8 ft with a period around 10 seconds – but the wind chops it all to hell. The combined energy is moderate to strong (between 366 and 1779), but you won’t care because it’s a bumpy mess. Over 5 ft is too big for beginners anyway. This setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing on most of those days.

Now, here’s the good news: the afternoon of Wednesday, July 22nd sees a magic shift. The wind goes cross-offshore from the west at just 9 mph, and the ocean turns clean. You’ve got an 8 ft SSW swell at a solid 10-second period (groundswell). The combined energy is still strong at 1225. Water temp is a balmy 86°, right about average for the time of year. This is the standout window – not the biggest, but it will be glassy, clean and have some push.

The 23rd and 24th keep that clean vibe with cross-off winds in the afternoons, though the swell eases from 7 ft down to about 6 ft. Still fun, just fading.

But check this out: Monday, July 27th. The charts show a monster 16 ft SSW swell with an 11-second period – that’s a massive groundswell with a combined energy reading of 6444. Winds look clean and cross-offshore from the west. But that’s colossal. Over 8 ft is expert territory, and the model notes say it’s likely too big for this break to handle. If you’re a pro, maybe, but most will want to sit it out. The 28th is similar, still huge at 13 ft.

So, the real sweet spot is the afternoon of the 22nd and the few days after. It’s clean, lined up, and the crowds at Nanwan can get thick, so get down early. The big stuff at the end of the month is one for the brave and the experts only.

Stay patient, and paddle out when it’s clean around the 22nd.

- Rusty

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