Bay Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m looking at the next couple of weeks for our local sandbar. Honestly, it’s a bit of a tough stretch coming up, but there are a couple of moments where it could get interesting if you’re patient.

We’re starting off with a real flat spell. From the 16th right through to the 19th, it’s tiny and messy. The water temp right now is about average for this time of year, nothing wild. Winds are all over the place early on, and the swell is barely a ripple. For the first few days, you’re looking at waves around 0.7 ft to 1 ft—just not worth paddling out. There’s a gap of several days with no real recommendation, so don’t rush.

The first sign of life comes Saturday the 19th, but it’s not pretty. Swell bumps up to 4 ft from the east, but the period is a short 6 seconds, and the wind is onshore. That’s choppy, weak stuff (combined energy at 114). This setup looks way more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, honestly.

Sunday the 20th brings a bit of hope, but it’s late. The morning is a write-off with heavy rain and crosswind. Then, Sunday afternoon, the wind swings offshore from the WNW at 6 mph. That’s the first real clean window. Swell is 4 ft from the south with a short 6-second period, but the energy is moderate (166). The conditions are ordinary, but it’s surfable. That’s the first thing you could actually ride.

Monday and Tuesday of the following week are back to poor surf with onshore winds and choppy conditions. Swell sits around 4 ft to 4 ft but it’s all wind-affected.

Now, if you’re willing to wait, there’s a standout on Sunday the 27th. Early morning, the wind is glassy—offshore and flat calm. Swell comes in from the NNE at 5 ft, but it’s a short period of 5 seconds, so it’s a bit weak and bumpy. Still, combined energy is moderate (153), and that glassy wind is a major positive. It’ll be clean, but this is better for experienced surfers at 5 ft. Bay Head is a beach/jetty setup, so with that short period, expect soft, crumbly waves. Crowds are possible here, but with such a long flat spell, it might not be too busy.

The very end of the window, on Thursday the 1st of October, shows a pulse of energy. Swell from the SE at 3 ft with a long period of 11 seconds—that’s groundswell. Combined energy is strong at 217, but the wind is light and cross-shore. It’s marginal, but that long period could make the jetty work better than the beach.

Overall, the best bet is the glassy Sunday morning on the 27th. It’s not perfect, but it’s the cleanest wave in a long stretch. After that, the first of October has potential but it’s a long way out, so don’t hold your breath.

Rusty.

Read more