Nanwan Beach (South Bay) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's cookin' in our little corner.

Alright, let's be straight with each other. The next couple of weeks ain't shaping up to be a classic by any stretch. We've got a big ol' blank patch at the start before we even see a wave worth paddling for. There's nothing decent on offer until late in the first week, and even then, it's mostly a bit of a messy affair. The one true standout, the one you want to circle on your calendar, is way down the line on the 27th of August.

The first real chance of a surf comes Monday the 17th of August at Nanwan Beach (South Bay). The water’s sitting at a warm 85°, pretty much bang on average for the time of year. That afternoon, you’ve got a small 6ft swell rolling in from the SSW with a short, weak 8-second period. The combined swell energy is moderate at 376. But here's the thing – the wind is dead glassy out of the south at just 3 mph. That makes for a pretty, clean surface. It’s an intermediate wave, and the crowds are often around, so you’ll have company. But if you’re just keen to get wet, this is your window.

After that little tease, things go downhill fast. From Tuesday the 18th right through to the 26th of August, it’s a write-off. The wind goes onshore or cross-shore, a proper breeze that chops it all up, and the storms roll in. There’s a bit of size in there – we see some 10ft days from the 20th to the 22nd – but with those howling cross-onshore winds, it’s just a washing machine. The combined swell energy gets up into the strong range (over 1600), but with that wind, it’s basically a kiteboarding session, not a surf. Beginners, stay well away when it’s over 5ft, and over 8ft it's for experts only, but the conditions are so poor it doesn't matter.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Thursday the 27th of August is our standout. We get a pulse of groundswell from the east, a proper 5ft at a long 16-second period. That’s a very long period, which means better shaped waves and more energy, but at a beach break like this, it can make 'em a bit straight. The combined swell energy hits the strong zone at 1511. But the wind is clean, a cross-offshore breeze from the west at 12 mph. It’s a marginal forecast, but it’s the best we’ve got by a long shot. Early morning on the 28th of August is also worth a look, with a similar 5ft, 16-second east swell and clean cross-offshore wind (1547 energy). Those two slots are your best bet, but remember, we’re talking over a week away, so the finer details are still up in the air.

So, to sum it up: one clean afternoon on the 17th for a fun little wave, a long, ugly dry spell, then a potential quality window around the 27th and 28th of August if the long-range promise holds up. This area can turn quickly, so don't write the whole two weeks off.

- Rusty

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