Albatross Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ at Albatross for the next couple of weeks.

The water is sitting at 62°F which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you might want an extra layer if you’re heading out.

This forecast starts with a pretty rough patch, I’m not gonna lie. The first few days, from Saturday the 5th right through Sunday the 6th, we’ve got a solid 5ft to 12ft of SSW swell piling in, but the wind is howling out of the east at 15 mph, holding it cross-on, and the waves are just a mess. The energy is moderate to strong (804 to 7482), but it’s poor out there – not worth paddling for.

Monday the 7th sees a little drop in the wind, but it’s still onshore or cross-on, and the swell is hanging around 7ft to 8ft. The conditions are marginal at best, and the wave quality just isn’t there. We’re in a bit of a dry spell.

But then, hold on. Tuesday the 8th morning is where it starts to get interesting. The wind goes dead calm – glassy, zero mph – and we’ve got a clean 4ft SW swell rolling in with a long 13-second period. The energy is moderate (699). That’s a nice little window for a surf, though it’s not huge. The afternoon stays light, but the wind shifts cross-on, so the morning is the pick.

Wednesday the 9th offers a bit more. The morning is clean with a light offshore wind, but the swell is tiny at 2ft. The afternoon, however, is a real standout for this early part of the forecast: a moderate 15 mph offshore wind from the WSW, with a 4ft SW swell on a long 14-second period. The waves will be clean and lined up, but it’s not a big day. The energy is low (441).

Thursday the 10th and Friday the 11th look pretty good too. Thursday morning has a light cross-offshore breeze and a 4ft SW swell, clean and surfable. Friday the 11th is the true gem of this first week: morning has a light cross-offshore wind with a 7ft SW swell, and the afternoon goes glassy, with a light SSW breeze and a 6ft SW swell. The energy is strong (1232 to 1479), and the conditions are very good. That Friday afternoon is the best you’ll see for a while.

The weekend of the 12th and 13th gets messy again. Saturday the 12th is a write-off with strong cross-on winds and a lumpy 10ft to 12ft swell. Sunday the 13th morning has a brief moment of glory: glassy conditions, a nice 6ft SW swell with a long 14-second period, and strong energy (2279). That’s excellent for experienced surfers, but the afternoon turns windy and cross-off again.

Now, into the second week, the real standouts are on Monday the 14th morning (glassy, 7ft SSW), and then Tuesday the 15th and Wednesday the 16th are the big hitters. Tuesday the 15th has a moderate offshore wind, a solid 10ft SW swell with a 12 to 13-second period, and very strong energy (2665 to 3069). That’s excellent for experienced surfers, and it’s a clean, powerful session. Wednesday the 16th morning is simply perfect: glassy, 10ft SW swell, 13-second period, and the strongest energy of the run (3415). This is the best on offer in the whole outlook – a true standout for those who can handle it. After midday, the wind turns cross-on and chops it up.

Thursday the 17th and Friday the 18th are more marginal, with messy conditions and strong cross-on winds. The energy is still high, but the quality drops.

The last weekend, Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th, throws up some big numbers – 15ft S swell on the 19th, but it’s cross-on and choppy, with extreme energy (5373 to 9840). That’s a massive, messy swell, only for the brave. Sunday the 20th has a strong offshore wind, but the swell is dropping and the energy is moderate.

So, if you’re looking at the whole 16 days, the absolute best windows are Friday the 11th afternoon (glassy, 6ft SW), and the double-header of Tuesday the 15th and Wednesday the 16th mornings (clean, 10ft SW, powerful). That Wednesday the 16th morning is the one to circle.

For the rest of the time, especially the first week, you’ll be dodging wind and chop. The swell is consistent, but you need to pick your moments. The water is a bit colder than usual, so don’t get caught out.

Rusty.

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