Big Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s break it down. Rusty here, looking at the next couple of weeks around Big Beach.

First up, the water is sitting at 81°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year – just a touch above average.

We’ve got a very slow start. For the first few days, through Sunday the 23rd, Monday the 24th, and Tuesday the 25th, the swell is tiny. We’re looking at 2 ft to 2 ft of SSW swell, and while the winds are mostly cross-off or offshore, the wave energy is weak (213 to 296). It’s surfable, but honestly, it’s pretty ordinary. You’d be scratching for scraps.

The real action starts to pick up on Wednesday the 26th. The morning sees a bit more size at 2 ft, but the energy is already climbing (454). Then by Wednesday afternoon, the wind goes clean offshore out of the ENE at 15 mph, and the swell is still 2 ft from the SSW with a solid 17-second period. The energy jumps to 551. That’s a good sign – a long-period groundswell starting to push in. This is the first little window that’s worth a paddle.

But the standout morning is definitely Thursday the 27th. We’ve got a clean 3 ft swell from the S, moving at 18 seconds, and the energy is strong at 779. The wind is a consistent offshore out of the ENE at 12 mph. This is the best of the first week. The water will be clean, the lines will have some push, and the crowd is only “sometimes” an issue here, so you might get a few waves to yourself. This is the one to circle.

The swell hangs around but drops a notch through Friday the 28th and Saturday the 29th, staying in the 2 ft to 2 ft range with moderate energy (339 to 390). Winds are still favorable, mostly offshore or cross-off, so it’s still worth a look, but Thursday morning is the peak.

Then we hit a bit of a lull. Sunday the 30th and Monday the 31st are pretty weak – energy drops to 57 on Monday morning with glassy conditions, but only 2 ft of swell. It’s clean, but tiny.

Now, for the second week, things get interesting again. Tuesday the 1st of September brings a new pulse: 3 ft from the SSW at 18 seconds, with energy shooting up to 629. The wind is a bit tricky in the morning with a cross-shore and risk of t-storms, but the afternoon cleans up with a cross-off breeze. Still, it’s marginal.

The real next standout is Wednesday the 2nd of September. Morning session sees 4 ft of S swell at 16 seconds, with energy at 660. Winds are a light E breeze, cross-off, and clean. That’s a proper size push for this spot. For a beginner, 4 ft is fine, but it’s getting towards the top end of the fun zone. This is your second best call of the whole forecast.

After that, it slowly fades through the rest of the week. Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th stay in the 2 ft to 3 ft range, but the energy drops. Winds stay offshore or cross-off, so it’s not a write-off, just not as exciting.

Then we get a classic late-season pulse for Sunday the 6th and Monday the 7th. Sunday morning has 3 ft from the SSW at 21 seconds – very long period – with energy at 637. By Sunday afternoon, it’s 3 ft at 20 seconds, energy 685, and a light offshore NE wind. That’s clean, lined-up, and juicy. But keep in mind, with such a long period (over 20 seconds), this kind of groundswell can be a bit too straight for a beach break. It might be better if you can find a bank or a corner. Monday the 7th afternoon is the real bomb: 3 ft from the SSW at 17 seconds, glassy conditions with a light SSW wind, and energy is a massive 880. That’s the strongest energy of the whole forecast. The wind is glassy, so it’ll be perfect. This is the biggest, cleanest day on offer, but it’s over a week away, so keep an eye on the forecasts.

So, if you’re picking your battles: the absolute best is Thursday the 27th morning for that clean, offshore 3 ft S swell, and the long-range standout is Monday the 7th of September afternoon for the biggest, glassiest conditions. The second week is promising but less certain.

If you’re a kite surfer, the bigger days here with the cross-off winds and a beach setup could be more fun than paddle surfing, especially on that 3 ft+ days.

Rusty.

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