Big Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, to be straight with you, the next 16 days at Big Beach are a mixed bag at best. We’ve got a long run of mediocre conditions in the first week thanks to persistent cross-off winds that mess with the shape, and the swell’s not got any real punch. Don’t get your hopes up for anything firing straight away.

The water’s about 81°, which is spot on average for this time of year, so you won’t need a thick suit.

Starting off Tuesday, the 1st of September, the morning’s a tease. There’s a clean 3ft SSW swell coming in at a long 18 seconds, with a light NNE breeze making it glassy. The wave energy’s moderate (592) and the swell direction is off from the optimum WSW, so it’s a bit wonky. The afternoon drops to 2ft and the wind swings to a 12 mph cross-off from the east, killing the vibe. Wednesday and Thursday are a write-off – moderate cross-off breezes all day, swell under 4ft, and energy dropping into the low hundreds. It’s frustrating.

Friday the 4th finally sees a shift. The morning serves up a clean 5ft S swell with a moderate 12-second period and a clean offshore breeze out of the ENE at 16 mph. Energy’s strong (619) and the wind’s right offshore. The afternoon’s similar at 5ft with an offshore. This is the first real standout. Saturday the 5th keeps the run going with a clean 4ft SSW swell in the morning and a light offshore breeze. Both mornings are looking tidy.

Sunday the 6th is a step down, but Monday the 7th brings a solid return. The morning delivers a clean 3ft SSW swell with a long 17-second period and a light cross-off breeze, but the energy’s surging (787). Then Tuesday the 8th is the absolute best on offer – a 5ft SSW swell with a long 15-second period, light cross-off winds from the ESE, and killer wave energy at 1201. It’s a strong, long-period groundswell, so keep in mind at a beach break it might jack up and close out a bit, but for experienced surfers it’s a proper session. The afternoon stays good with 4ft from the WSW and energy at 1091.

After that, the second week mellows out. Wednesday the 9th still has some clean morning waves at 4ft, then it fades. Thursday the 10th is small with offshore winds, but only 2ft. From Friday the 11th to Monday the 14th it’s mostly small, weak surf with energy under 400, and conditions are just ordinary. The 15th and 16th see a tiny bump from a very long-period SSW swell (21 seconds on the 15th morning), but it’s only 2ft to 3ft, so more a longboard wave than anything punchy. The afternoons on the 15th and 16th are okay but nothing special.

Best bet: get out Friday the 4th morning or Tuesday the 8th morning for the cleanest, most powerful waves of the run. Tuesday the 8th is the clear standout.

Rusty.

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