Big Wave Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what Big Wave Bay has in store for us. I’ll be straight with you – this outlook is a tough one. We’ve got a full 16 days on the calendar, but if you’re looking for a decent wave, you’re going to be waiting a long time. The whole period is a write-off.

The first record we see is for Saturday the 12th, and it’s not good. We’ve got a 4ft swell rolling in from the east, but it’s a weak, short-period windswell at only 8 seconds. The combined swell energy is a so-so 217 (moderate), but that’s where the good news ends. The wind is a messy 16 mph cross-onshore out of the east, making for choppy, poor conditions. It’s the same story day after day.

For the next two weeks, it’s the same curse. The swell sticks between 1ft and 6ft, mostly from the east, with periods that are short – between 4 and 8 seconds. The wind almost never lets up. It’s a constant barrage of cross-onshore and onshore breezes, with speeds often hitting 16 to 19 mph. This is not surf; it’s a washing machine. The water temp is sitting at 84°F with a tiny 0.7°F anomaly, so that’s about what you’d expect for the time of year, but you won’t be enjoying it much.

There is one moment of calm. On the morning of Tuesday the 22nd of September, the wind goes glassy. But that’s the only good thing. The swell is a pathetic 2ft from the east with a 6-second period, so the wave energy is almost nothing (30). You’d be bobbing around on lake-like conditions, not surfing.

After that, end of the month sees a tiny bump of 4ft to 4ft with some offshore wind on the 23rd, but the period is still short (5-6 seconds) and the energy is weak. The wind turns back onshore and cross-onshore immediately after.

Honestly, there’s not a single moment in the whole 16-day window that I’d recommend paddling out. The swell is too small and weak, and the wind is consistently ruining what little there is. If you’re into kite surfing, this constant onshore wind and small, bumpy waves might look alright. For paddle surfing, it’s a total blank. Stick to a longboard session at a protected spot if you can find one, but at Big Wave Bay, you’re out of luck.

Stay patient, folks. It won’t stay poor forever.

Rusty.

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