- Home
- ...Australia
Australia- Smiths Beach
Conditions at Smiths Beach in August
August: Maximum Period, Still Heavy
August keeps the winter swell train rolling. Average wave height sits at an impressive 9ft (2.7m), and the average period peaks at 13.3 seconds, the longest of the year. This is true groundswell, born in the most violent latitudes of the Southern Ocean. SW/WSW dominate, with WNW still contributing occasional favourables. The long-period nature means even a modest swell direction shift can put significant energy into Smiths' NW-facing corners.
As with July, the challenge is wind. WSW/W/WNW winds remain all too common, and ideal offshore flow is only 18 percent. But as August progresses, the first signs of spring emerge; high pressure begins to ridge more frequently, giving cleaner days between fronts. When that happens, the bumper 13-second swell is a thing of beauty. Water temperature is at its winter low of 17.6°C, and air temperatures average just 15.5°C.
Average Spot conditions at Smiths Beach in August
Swell history for August
Wind history for August
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Smiths Beach during August. Based on historical data, there is a % probability of groundswell occurring this month. The chart below provides a detailed breakdown of the average wave height distribution, offering deep insights into the swell quality and surf potential you can expect at Smiths Beach for your next trip in August.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Smiths Beach for August. Our analysis shows that favorable offshore or side-shore winds coincide with surfable swell approximately % of the time. The accompanying graph illustrates the average size distribution of waves during these optimal wind windows at Smiths Beach.