Back Strands Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, crew, Rusty here again. Let’s talk about Back Strands in feet and miles per hour. This reef is calling, but the next 16 days are a real story of patience.

We start on Friday, September 4th, and it’s a mess. The swell is 12 feet from the west, but a nasty 28 mph west wind is blowing right across it. It’s a strong cross-onshore, and the combined energy is a hefty 3855. That’s a lot of power with no order. This is more of a kiteboarding scene than a surf session.

Saturday the 5th is a little better. The swell drops to 6 feet from the west, and the wind comes around to the south at 6 mph in the afternoon, cleaning things up. The swell goes 5 feet from the west-northwest, and the energy is 378. The water temp is about normal for this time of year. It’s rideable, but nothing to write home about.

Then we hit a long, flat spell. From Sunday the 6th right through to the 12th, it’s mostly small, weak waves. The swell is between 2 and 6 feet, but the wind is usually onshore or cross-shore, and the energy is often under 400. The 8th sees another spike to 12 feet, but that 25 mph west wind is back, making it a total mess. Strong cross-onshore and choppy. It’s a frustrating pattern.

Here’s the gold. Sunday, September 13th morning. The swell is a solid 7 feet from the west, the wind is a light offshore from the south at just 3 mph, and it’s glassy clean. The combined energy is 792. This is the standout. The reef is going to be firing with clean, lined-up sets. The swell is a bit big for beginners, but for the average surfer, it’s the best we’ve got. Go early.

Monday the 14th morning is also a big one. The swell is a strong 10 feet from the west, with a 10-second period, giving it 1838 energy. The wind is a moderate cross-offshore, keeping it clean. But 10 feet on a reef is no joke – that’s expert territory. The afternoon gets a cross-shore chop, so the morning is the only window.

After that, it’s all downhill. Tuesday the 15th drops to 4 feet, and the rest of the week fades into tiny, knee-high slop with energy under 300. The last few days, from the 17th to the 19th, are all under 3 feet with weak, gutless energy. Not worth getting wet.

So, the bottom line: the first week is a wash. The best bet is the morning of the 13th, with a solid runner-up on the morning of the 14th for the big-wave crew. After that, it’s flat and quiet.

Rusty, out.

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