Foam

Right now, overhead surf is running at Plantations and the reef is handling size well, but the cross-shore wind from the west-north-west is roughing up the faces and a rating of 3/5 fair says it straight: this is not the moment. The 14-second period underneath means the swell has travelled far and holds real shape, but today's conditions demand confident, experienced surfers only, this is not the forgiving beginner wave Plantations usually offers. Wait for the window at 5pm, when the wind is forecast to drop and clean the faces.

By mid-afternoon the swell holds steady at overhead height, though the wind swings slightly west and remains cross-shore at around 20 kilometres per hour. The tide will be falling still, which suits the deep reef, but the wind texture persists through to evening, 5pm onwards is genuinely the call.

Tomorrow looks genuinely good. Morning swell peaks at shoulder to overhead with a 5/5 rating, the wind should be lighter and offshore, and you will want to be in the water early before either deteriorates. Size remains well overhead and demands the same experience level as today, yet the cleaner water and longer period make it a substantially different proposition. Forecasts this far out shift easily, but tomorrow reads as the pick of the two days by a clear margin.