Manly seasonal overview
Manly Beach in Australia offers a mix of conditions year-round, with the best surfing months typically being from late summer into autumn, particularly February to April. During these months, the swell is a balanced mix of ground and wind swells, with February having 18% ground swell and 82% wind swell, while April sees an increase in ground swell to 26% and 74% wind swell. The average swell size remains steady at 1.6m, providing consistent wave heights. Wind conditions are also favorable, with February having the highest percentage of good winds at 47%, though April sees a slight drop to 37%. Winter months from May to August experience higher ground swell percentages, peaking at 31% in June, but the wind conditions deteriorate significantly, with bad winds dominating at 76% in May and peaking at 85% in July. Swell size decreases slightly in winter to around 1.4-1.5m. Spring and early summer from September to December see a return to more wind-dominated swells, with ground swell dropping below 20% by November and December. Wind conditions improve slightly, with good winds rising back to 34% in October and 42% in December. Overall, surfers will find the most reliable conditions from February to April when swell composition, size, and wind conditions align best for quality surfing at Manly.
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Conditions at Manly in August
August at Manly offers decent surf conditions with an average swell height of 1.4m and a solid period of 9.3s, providing consistent, well-formed waves. The swell direction is predominantly from the south and southeast, with the highest frequency of rideable waves (1-2.5m) coming from the SSE (22.8%), S (18.44%), and SE (13.21%). These directions typically align well with the beach, offering clean, manageable waves for intermediate to advanced surfers. Wind conditions are less favorable, with only 20% of the time being ideal for surfing, often due to lighter offshore winds. The prevailing winds tend to come from the west to northwest (15-30kph range), which can create choppy or cross-shore conditions. However, early mornings may see lighter winds, improving wave quality. Overall, August delivers reliable surf with occasional great sessions, though wind interference can be a limiting factor. Experienced surfers will find the best opportunities with SSE swells and lighter wind periods.
Average Spot conditions at Manly in August
Swell history for August
Wind history for August
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Manly 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 Manly for your next trip in August.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Manly 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 Manly.
