Back Strands Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Back Strands over the next couple of weeks. Honestly, it’s a tough stretch. The water’s sitting at 61°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, but that’s about the only bright spot for a while.

The first real chance of a surfable wave doesn’t show up until Thursday the 10th of September, and even then it’s small. The morning brings a clean 3ft swell from the west, with a light cross-offshore breeze. That’s about as good as it gets in this opening run, but with combined energy sitting at just 155, it’s weak. It’s rideable, but don’t expect much push.

Friday the 11th is a bit of a write-off – onshore breezes and messy conditions. Saturday the 12th morning has a bigger 5ft swell from the west-northwest with a long 13-second period, and clean cross-offshore wind. The energy jumps to 828, which is moderate. That’s a standout, but the strong breeze in the afternoon and a score of just 1 means it’s only just surfable. Not worth getting too excited over.

We then hit a flat patch from Sunday the 13th through to Wednesday the 16th. Waves are small, mostly under 3ft, and conditions are ordinary at best. There’s a brief moment on Thursday the 17th afternoon when the wind goes glassy and the swell is tiny at 2ft from the west-northwest. It’s clean but weak, with energy at just 96. If you’re desperate for a splash, you could go, but it’s hardly pumping.

Friday the 18th offers a little more hope – gentle offshore winds in the afternoon, 3ft swell from the west-northwest, and clean conditions. Still small, but at least it’s tidy.

Then things get interesting again on Sunday the 20th. A solid 6ft west swell rolls in, with a long 12-second period and combined energy hitting 997. That’s a proper groundswell. But the wind is cross-onshore and choppy, so it’s messy. This setup would be better for a point break or reef than a beach break, because long-period swells can close out. For Back Strands, it’s likely too big and too choppy for most, definitely expert territory. Not one for beginners.

The run finishes up with more wind and bigger waves on Monday the 22nd – 10ft from the west-northwest at 12 seconds and energy over 2300. But it’s blown out by a near gale cross-onshore wind. That’s kite surfing territory, not paddle surfing.

So overall, there’s no real classic day in this window. Thursday the 10th morning is your best bet for a clean, small wave session. If you’re after size and don’t mind mess, Sunday the 20th has the most power, but it won’t be pretty. This is a lean period for Back Strands – sometimes it just goes quiet like this. Forecasts can change, but right now it’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

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