Big Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. The outlook for Big Bay is a bit of a mixed bag, but there are a few windows that could be worth paddling out for. The forecast kicks off on Tuesday the 15th, but honestly, you’ll want to sit that one out. The day opens with a messy, lumpy 6 ft NW windswell with a short period of 6 seconds, and that cross-on 22 mph breeze just chops it to bits. Afternoon doesn’t improve – a 4 ft SW groundswell shows up, but the 25 mph cross-on wind is nasty. No surf to get excited about here.

Wednesday the 16th is where we start to see a glimmer of hope. The morning brings a cleaner picture with 6 ft of SW groundswell at 13 seconds and a fresh cross-off breeze at 22 mph. It’s still a bit rough around the edges for quality, but it’s a step up. The afternoon is similar with 6 ft, though still marginal. Thursday looks okay, with a solid 7 ft SW swell at 12 seconds and clean conditions from a cross-off wind, but the scores are middling. The real standout comes on Friday the 18th: that morning has offshore 19 mph winds, a 6 ft SW groundswell (moderate energy), and the wave comment gets a “fresh offshore and clean”. The afternoon keeps that 6 ft swell but with a longer 13-second period and still offshore. This is the best of the first week – clean, lined-up, and surfable for intermediates.

Saturday the 19th drops a bit in size (5 ft to 5 ft) but stays clean, and Sunday the 20th bumps back up to 6 ft of SW swell with good period (14 seconds) and clean cross-off breezes. Monday the 21st is a solid shout too: morning sees 6 ft WSWSW with gentle cross-off winds, and the wave report says “expect very good surf conditions” with moderate energy. That’s a prime window for a long session.

As we push into the second week, confidence drops a little, but there’s still fun to be had. Tuesday the 22nd has light offshore breeze (6 mph) and a clean 4 ft WSWSW groundswell – small but playful. Wednesday the 23rd is tiny (2 ft to 3 ft), so you might want to skip it unless you’re on a longboard. Things get tricky around Thursday the 24th with a 5 ft cross-on mess, and Friday the 25th afternoon looks interesting: a 7 ft SW swell at 14 seconds with a light cross-on breeze – that’s expert territory if you can handle the size (strong energy). Saturday the 26th is a standout in this later period: morning brings 7 ft of SW groundswell (14 seconds, strong energy) with a clean cross-off wind. This one has real power, so it’s for the experienced crew.

Monday the 28th morning is also worth a look – 7 ft S swell at 10 seconds, clean cross-off, and the wave comment says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers” – it’s a solid option for those who want a punchy, fast wave. The last gem is Tuesday the 29th morning: 5 ft SW groundswell with an exceptionally long 16-second period (very very long), gentle cross-off wind, and again “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers”. That combination of long period and offshore wind will produce smooth, powerful lines at the point breaks and reefs.

Water temp at Big Bay kicks off at 55°F, which is about 5°F colder than the norm for this time of year – that’s well outside the usual range and feels notably cold. You’ll need a thick wetsuit for sure.

Overall, the pick of the entire forecast is Friday the 18th and Saturday the 26th and Tuesday the 29th. The first one is clean, moderate-sized, and offshore – a real session for the taking. The latter two are powerful groundswells with proper energy, but definitely for the experts. Crowds? The guidance says Big Bay gets crowded “often”, so expect company, especially on those standout days.

Rusty.

Read more