Albatross Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, let’s have a look at the upcoming surf. The only break we’ve got on the cards is Albatross, which is a sheltered beach and reef setup that works best when the swell comes from the SSW. The water temperature is a wild 53°F, which is a massive 13°F colder than what’s normal for this time of year – that’s far colder than usual, so you’ll want a thick steamer.

Things start a bit flat this weekend. Saturday the 15th is a write-off with a small 4ft SW swell and cross-onshore winds making for a messy, marginal surf forecast. Sunday the 16th is a step up but still nothing to get excited about – 5ft to 5ft SW swell, and the wind swings offshore by the afternoon, so the morning is clean and the afternoon turns glassy. It’s a fun little wave for a beginner but nothing special.

Now, Monday the 17th is where it starts to get interesting. The swell builds to 8ft-8ft from the SW with light offshore winds and the combined energy pushes into the strong range (1886-1975). This is good, clean surf for the experienced crew. Tuesday the 18th holds similar size, with the afternoon hitting 8ft and a cross-off breeze – the combined energy is 2082, strong and clean, excellent for experienced surfers.

The standout of the whole run is Wednesday the 19th morning. We’ve got 8ft of SW groundswell (13-second period), combined energy at 2254, and the wind going totally glassy. That’s as clean as it gets. The afternoon gets a bit of cross-shore ripple but the morning session will be pure magic for the crew who can handle that size.

Thursday the 20th keeps the good run going – 8ft to 8ft SW swell with offshore winds and strong energy (1693-2034). Clean and powerful. Friday the 21st gets messy with cross-onshore winds and choppy conditions, so skip it.

The following weekend, Saturday the 22nd, has strong cross-off winds (18-22 mph) and dropping swell (7ft to 6ft). The combined energy is still strong (1401-1839) but the wind might make it more of a kite day than a paddle session. Sunday the 23rd morning looks excellent for experts with a 10ft SSW swell, offshore wind, and massive 2795 combined energy. The afternoon eases to 8ft and stays clean. That Sunday morning is another proper standout.

Monday the 24th looks heavy with an 12ft SSW groundswell (16-second period) and a combined energy of 6011 – that’s very strong. But the cross-onshore wind makes it messy, and period that long tends to jack up straight on a beach break. Tuesday the 25th drops back to 6ft with weak cross-shore wind, not worth the paddle.

Then look at Wednesday the 26th morning: 5ft from the SSW but with an 18-second period – proper long-period groundswell – and glassy conditions. Combined energy is 2452, strong for the size. That’s a sneaky clean session for reefs and points, but at Albatross the long period might make it close out on the beach. The afternoon gets a 8ft SW with 17-second period and offshore wind, but the wind is moderate.

The final days, Thursday the 27th to Sunday the 30th, see the swell dropping back to a consistent 7ft-8ft SW with mostly offshore winds and moderate to strong energy (631-1753). It’s good, clean surf for the experienced crew but nothing that stands out like that Wednesday the 19th or Sunday the 23rd.

Overall, the first proper surf hits Monday the 17th. The absolute pick is Wednesday morning the 19th and Sunday morning the 23rd. Crowds are “sometimes” at Albatross, so on these standout mornings you might find a few others out, but it should still be manageable.

Rusty.

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