Back Strands Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s cut through the noise and have a look at our local set-up for the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a mixed bag for Back Strands, but there are a couple of windows where I’d be paddling out for sure.

We start off pretty average, to be honest. The first few days aren't offering much quality, with wind and swell conspiring against us. Wednesday the 9th is a write-off with a messy cross-on breeze, but Thursday the 10th sees a bit more energy in the water. The swell picks up to 4ft from the WSW, but it’s a real lumpy cross-shore mess with a Fresh breeze. Not one for the log, that’s for sure.

The first real standout window kicks off on Friday the 11th afternoon. The wind swings cross-off shore with a Gentle breeze, and the wave energy is decent at 327 (moderate). It’s a clean 4ft from the WNW with a 9-second period. The water’s a touch warmer than normal for this time of year at 61°F, so that’s a bonus. Saturday the 12th looks a bit too raw for most, with a solid 6ft WNW swell but cross-shore wind and chop spoiling the party. That swell’s got some grunt to it (1047 combined energy), but it’s not clean.

Sunday the 13th morning is where you need to be. We’ve got clear skies, a Light breeze blowing cross-off shore, and a clean 4ft WNW groundswell with an 11-second period. The energy is moderate at 302, but the conditions are good, real good. That long period means the waves will have some shape and punch, especially at a reef break like this. It’s not too big, so the beginners could have a go too.

After that, things go quiet again for the middle of the week. There’s a long gap with nothing worth mentioning until we get to Friday the 18th. Now, this is a real treat on the horizon. Friday the 18th morning brings an offshore wind from the SSE with a Gentle breeze. We’re looking at a 5ft WNW groundswell with a 12-second period, and the combined energy is a thumping 768 (strong). That’s the pick of the whole forecast. It’s clean, it’s got power, and it’s an offshore wind at Back Strands. This one is for the experienced crew, but it’ll be a session to remember. That afternoon the wind goes cross-off, so the window is tight, but the morning is gold.

After that we have some stronger winds and lumpy conditions, but another promising stretch appears on Monday the 21st. A glassy offshore from the ESE in the morning with a 4ft WNW swell at 12 seconds (519 energy) makes for a clean, fun session. That lasts into the afternoon with a light cross-off breeze. Then Tuesday the 22nd morning is another good bet: a 6ft W swell with a 10-second period and a Gentle offshore breeze. The crowd profile says it gets "sometimes" busy here, and on a morning like that, you can expect a few heads out.

Looking at the final few days, the 23rd and 24th have moments. Wednesday the 23rd morning is clean with a 5ft W swell and a Gentle offshore breeze (449 energy). That’s a solid, consistent option. Thursday the 24th brings the biggest swell of the run – a 7ft WNW with a 12-second period and 1316 combined energy. That’s a serious amount of water moving around. But it’s got a cross-on wind, making it choppy. That’s one for the experts only, and even then, it's a bit on the messy side.

Overall, if you’re looking for the absolute best, Friday the 18th morning is the standout. The offshore wind, the solid groundswell, and the power are all aligning. Sunday the 13th morning is your best early call for cleaner, smaller waves. The other decent windows are all worth a look, but those two are the ones to circle on the calendar.

Get on it.

Rusty

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