Bird Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let's have a look at what’s cookin’. We’ve only got one spot on the menu for this stretch: Bird Rock. It’s a reef break, advanced level, fairly consistent and exposed to the SW swell.

We’re in for a bit of a slow start here. Wednesday the 26th is a write-off – messy cross-shore winds and poor surf conditions, not worth paddling out for. Thursday the 27th cleans up a bit with light offshores in the morning, but we’re looking at small, weak swell of just 3ft from the SSW, period 11 seconds. The combined energy is weak (202). It’s surfable, but nothing to write home about.

Friday the 28th is where things start to get interesting. Friday morning brings a clean, cross-offshore breeze and a jump in quality. The swell is still modest at 3ft from the SW, but the period stretches right out to 18 seconds – that’s a proper long-period groundswell. Combined energy is moderate (719). This will bring in some nice, lined-up waves at the reef, with those long gaps between sets making the paddle out easier. It’s looking very good for the experienced crew.

Saturday the 29th has a clean morning with light cross-offshore winds and a 3ft SW swell at 14 seconds. Moderate energy (416). A solid, fun morning session.

Sunday the 30th morning is a standout. Glassy conditions with a light offshore from the NW, and a 4ft SSW swell at 13 seconds. Combined energy is moderate (703). The water temp is a pleasant 56°, right about average for this time of year. This is the pick of the first week – clean, punchy waves at a reef that loves this direction. Expect some crowds though, as it can get busy here.

Monday the 31st keeps the quality high. Clean, glassy conditions in the morning with a light cross-offshore breeze and a 5ft SSW swell at 15 seconds, moderate to strong energy (1204). Monday arvo sees light offshore winds and a 4ft SSW swell, also very clean. Two solid sessions.

Tuesday the 1st of September sees a stronger offshore breeze (30 km/h), keeping things clean but a little on the fresh side. The swell drops a touch to 4ft from the SW at 16 seconds, with moderate energy (711). Good, but not the best of the week.

Now, looking further out. Saturday the 6th of September morning brings excellent conditions for experienced surfers. The swell bumps up to 7ft from the SW at 14 seconds, with strong combined energy (1977). Clean with a light cross-offshore breeze. This is big for this spot – over 8ft is expert territory at a reef like this.

Sunday the 7th and Monday the 8th mornings both offer excellent conditions for advanced surfers. Sunday the 7th has a 7ft SW swell (14 sec) and light cross-offshore winds, with strong energy (1702). Monday the 8th is a real standout: a 6ft SW swell with an 18-second period, very long-period groundswell, and light cross-offshore winds. The combined energy is very strong (2557). This will be a day of long, powerful lines wrapping into Bird Rock. A true highlight for the experienced surfer, but expect strong paddling conditions between sets.

The tail end of the forecast, around the 10th of September, looks messy with big, raw energy but questionable conditions. Thursday the 10th sees a massive 13ft SW swell at 13 seconds, with combined energy of 7533 – that’s extreme. The morning has moderate offshore winds, but that’s a huge, unruly swell for the reef, likely too big and chunky for anything but the most experienced big-wave chargers.

Overall, the standout windows are Sunday the 30th morning for a clean, classic session, and Monday the 8th morning for a long-period groundswell event that will have the reef absolutely firing. The second week is promising but less certain this far out; keep an eye on the wind forecasts.

Rusty.

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