Ammonias Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s have a look at what’s on offer for Ammonias over the next 16 days.

Straight up, I’ve got to be honest with you – this is a tough run. For the first week and a half, the wind is a constant problem and the surf quality is just not there. It kicks off on Tuesday, 1st September, with a 6ft ENE swell, but it’s cross-shore at 16 mph and the wave energy is moderate (874). The water’s sitting at 81°, which is about normal for this time of year, but the conditions are poor. Expect a cross-chop.

Wednesday and Thursday are much the same story – the swell hangs around 7ft to 7ft from the ENE, but the wind stays cross or cross-on, and the energy climbs a bit (up to 1273). Still, it’s poor to marginal at best. The period is a short 8 seconds, so it’s messy, windswell stuff. Not what you’d paddle out for.

Friday the 4th through to the weekend sees the swell drop a touch to 5ft – 5ft, but the direction swings to SSE with a longer 12-second period. That’s better shaped, but the wind is still cross or cross-on at 16 – 19 mph, so the surface is lumpy. The energy is moderate (1458). It’s still marginal.

Now, the 5th and 6th of September – Saturday and Sunday – the swell pumps up to 7ft from the ENE with a 14-second period. That’s a solid groundswell, and the energy is strong (2666). But here’s the catch: the wind is still cross-shore at 16 mph. The waves will have power, but the surface is going to be a cross-chop. For a reef break, that’s not ideal. It’s a step up, but still a marginal call.

Monday the 7th stays similar with 7ft – 7ft ENE swell, but the wind lightens a bit to 9 – 12 mph. Still cross-on, so it’s choppy. The energy is strong (2388). You’re getting a bit of size, but the wind is working against you.

Then on Tuesday the 8th, things get interesting – and a bit wild. The swell switches to a 10ft – 12ft SW groundswell with a 14-second period. The energy is very strong (5282). That’s a big, powerful swell, but the wind is onshore from the ESE at 9 – 12 mph, and the break is exposed. At 12ft, this is expert territory only. It’s going to be a heavy, unruly beast. If you’re a seasoned charger, you might find a window, but expect a battle.

After that, the 9th and 10th drop back to 6ft – 7ft ENE swell, but the wind is cross-on or cross again at 12 – 19 mph. The energy drops (879 – 1468). It’s back to poor surf conditions.

The middle of the second week – the 11th to the 13th – sees the swell settle around 6ft – 7ft from the ENE, with periods slowly lengthening from 8 to 11 seconds. The wind is cross-shore at 9 – 12 mph. The energy is moderate (626 – 1661). It’s still marginal. On Sunday the 13th, the wind eases to a gentle 9 mph, and there’s a slight cross-chop – that’s one of the better-looking windows, but it’s still not clean.

The standout moment, if there is one, comes on Monday the 14th and Tuesday the 15th. Monday morning has a 7ft ENE swell with a 12-second period, and the wind is light onshore from the ESE at 6 mph. The energy is moderate (1096). It’s a bit better, but the real gem is Tuesday, 15th September. The swell drops to 3ft from the SSW, but look at that period – 20 seconds! That’s a very long-period groundswell. The wind goes glassy, with a slight air from the SE at 3 mph. The water will be like a mirror. The energy is moderate (734). For a reef break, that long period will wrap in beautifully, and the conditions will be perfect. It’s small, but it will be clean and lined up. That’s the best session on offer.

Wednesday the 16th fades back to 3ft SSW swell, but the wind picks up to 6 – 9 mph from the NE, so it gets a cross-chop again.

Overall, the first week is a write-off with poor wind and messy surf. The second week has a few windows of opportunity, with Tuesday the 15th being the clear standout for a glassy, clean session on a small but long-period groundswell. If you’re patient, that’s your day. For the rest, it’s a lot of marginal frustration.

Rusty.

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