Nanwan Beach (South Bay) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s coming up for Nanwan Beach (South Bay).

Right now, things are pretty average. There’s a bit of wind from the west pushing across, and the swell is a touch raw with a period around 8 seconds – not the most organised. The overall energy behind it is moderate (614), but the onshore wind direction spoils the shape and it’s a bit of a write-off to be honest. The water temp sits at 84°F, bang on average for the time of year, so at least the water feels nice.

Come Saturday the 29th, things start to look better. The morning shows some clouds and a gentle breeze from the west at 9 mph while a 6 ft SW swell with 9 seconds of period arrives. The water cleans up a little – the wind stays cross-off – and energy bumps up to a moderate 470 to 523. It’s a great window to go for a paddle. Crowds can be possible at Nanwan Beach, but on this day, especially early, it should be well worth it. The swell direction works nicely with the optimum from the southeast, so the banks should set up okay.

Sunday the 30th brings a bit more size – 7 ft from the SSW – but storm risks creep in. The mornings are still okay with a moderate cross-off breeze, but the afternoons get more wind and the energy gets punchy (739 to 787). It’s borderline – a step up in power but the quality slips. If you’re after push, go early.

Now Monday the 31st is a real standout. It’s a clear morning with 3 mph offshore wind from the northwest. That is top-tier glassy stuff. There’s a solid 6 ft SW groundswell running with 9 seconds. The energy is moderate (530) and the break is clean as a whistle. This is the session to aim for if you want silky, peelable lines without crowds being too heavy. Afternoon swings around to a light cross-on breeze from the south, but the morning window is the pick of the week.

Moving into Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd September, the swell holds around the 6 to 7 ft mark with 10 second periods and moderate to strong energy (up to 970). Wednesday afternoon actually shapes up positively – a clean cross-off breeze from the northeast and a 7 ft SW swell, decently powerful, looking like some good rides.

By the end of that week and into the weekend (4th – 6th September), the swell drops off hard. It’s small – 3 to 4 ft – and weak (under 200 energy). The wind is cross to cross-off but it’s just too small to get excited about unless you’re on a log. A bit of a flat spell settles in for a couple days.

Then, look out, because from Monday 7th September we see a serious increase. The 7th morning has a 8 ft W swell with a shorter 6 second period and a light offshore from the northwest. The energy is moderate (472) but the swell direction is pushing more west. By Tuesday the 8th, things really kick off. We’re looking at 10 ft from the west-southwest with 8 second period, and the energy knocks it out of the park – over 1200. Tuesday afternoon is absolute gold: 3 mph from the north-northeast, glassy conditions, 10 ft, and the combined energy hitting 1271. This is big and clean, but definitely one for experienced surfers. Over 8 ft is expert territory, so know your limits.

Wednesday the 9th gets even bigger with 12 to 15 ft from the southwest. The energy surges up to 3213 – that’s strong. The wind stays light and favourable, but this is too much for Nanwan Beach itself. It might get fat and unruly. Best left for a day you’re watching from the sand. Thursday the 10th still has leftover 10 ft SSW swell, but now with offshore wind from the northwest (6 mph) and energy in the 1300 to 1600 range – this is the big swells last hurrah, but the period has dropped to 9 seconds. It’ll be big and clean, yet still expert-level.

After that, the swell tails off again into the second half of the month, but we had a solid run from late August right through to mid-September. Friday the 11th onward, the wind turns more onshore and the wave heights drop, sliding back into slump territory.

Bottom line: Monday 31st August morning is your golden moment for solid, clean, manageable surf. Tuesday 8th September is for the brave with the glassy 10 ft lines. Everything else has its moments, but those two days are the ones I’d be marking on the calendar.

Rusty.

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