Nanwan Beach (South Bay) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the menu for the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, it’s a bit of a slow start. We’ve got a run of poor surf, so you’re looking at a gap of nearly a week before anything really worth paddling out for shows up. From Wednesday, July 29th through to Monday, August 3rd, it’s mostly small, weak, and choppy. The combined swell energy is low, bouncing between 47 and 118, and the wind is all over the place, mostly cross or onshore. Not worth getting wet for.

Things start to get interesting on Tuesday, August 4th. A real pulse of energy arrives overnight. The combined swell energy jumps up to 995 by Tuesday morning, and by the afternoon, it’s kicking at 1351. We’re looking at a solid 4ft to 5ft groundswell from the east, with a long 15 to 16 second period. The wind is light and cross-offshore from the west, which should keep it clean. This is the standout of the first week. Nanwan Beach (South Bay) is a beach and reef setup, and with that long period, it’s going to be lining up nicely. The water temp is about average for this time of year.

Wednesday, August 5th morning looks even better if you can handle a bit more size. The swell bumps up to 6ft from the east, 17 seconds, with the combined energy at 1825. The wind is glassy to light cross-off. That’s proper, clean groundswell. It’s going to be a bit much for beginners, but for the experienced crew, it’s a treat. The crowds are often here, so expect some company.

After that, the swell drops off quickly Wednesday afternoon, and we get a few more days of weak, poor quality surf. The combined energy dips back down to 84 and 76, with a short period windswell. Not much to write home about.

Then, from Saturday, August 8th, we get another big pulse. The swell comes up to 10ft to 12ft from the southwest, with a period of 9 to 10 seconds. The combined energy is massive, hitting 2238 by Saturday afternoon. The wind is glassy, which is a dream. But here’s the thing – that’s too big for this break. It’s a beach and reef setup, and 12ft is going to be a washing machine. Only for the experts, and even then, it’s a gamble. You’d be better off looking at a point or reef nearby if you’ve got the skills.

Sunday, August 9th is still pumping, with 10ft swell from the southwest, 11 seconds, and a combined energy of 2297. The morning has a moderate cross-offshore wind, but the afternoon turns glassy again. That’s a solid, powerful swell, but again, it’s big. Monday, August 10th dials back a touch to 8ft, still with that long 11-second period, and the morning is glassy. The energy is still high at 1580. This is likely the best compromise for the experienced surfer in the second week – big, clean, and powerful.

The week continues with 8ft to 10ft swells from the south-southwest through Tuesday, August 11th, with clean winds. The energy stays high, between 1359 and 2054. It’s a solid run for the pros, but the crowds are often. By Wednesday, August 12th, the wind turns against us, and the quality drops off.

So, to sum it up: the first real standout is the Tuesday, August 4th and Wednesday, August 5th window. That’s your best bet for clean, manageable groundswell. The second week offers a lot of power, but it’s for the big-wave specialists only. If you’re not comfortable in 8ft to 11ft surf, stay home.

Rusty.

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