Broken Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve got the long-range look at Broken Head. Let’s be straight up: the first week and a half is a real struggle. We’re looking at a long, dry spell with barely anything rideable, and even when the swell shows up, the wind is a bloody mess. Things finally turn around in the last few days of the month and into early September.

Alright, let’s get into it. The first real shot at anything comes on Sunday morning, the 23rd of August. It’s tiny, with 3ft of ENE swell at 8 seconds, and the energy is weak—just 81 of it. The wind is glassy, which is a beautiful thing, but the waves are so ordinary you’d be lucky to get a half-decent ride. It’s a beginner-friendly size, but honestly, not worth the paddle.

We then hit a dead zone. From Sunday afternoon right through to the morning of Monday the 31st of August, it’s just poor surf conditions day after day. The wind is either onshore or cross-onshore, and the swell stays small, around 2ft to 5ft. The energy is all over the place, from weak to moderate (like 134 to 262). There’s a morning on the 31st that grabs your attention.

Monday morning, the 31st of August, is the standout. Broken Head is a point break, and it’s fairly consistent. The swell is 5ft from the east at 6 seconds—short period, so it’ll be a bit crumbly, but the energy is moderate at 215. The wind is offshore from the WSW, light air, and clean. This is the first time we get a proper “expect good surf conditions” call. It’s still small enough for beginners, but the offshore wind will make it fun for anyone. Crowds are “often” here, so expect company.

After that, the window stays open. Tuesday morning, the 1st of September, has 5ft of east swell at 8 seconds, with moderate offshore wind from the SW (25 mph) and energy at 266. It’s clean but the wind is a bit stiff, so it’s marginal. Wednesday morning, the 2nd of September, is another good one: 4ft of east swell at 8 seconds, offshore wind from the SSW at 12 mph, and energy at 208. Clean, moderate offshore, and “expect good surf conditions.”

Thursday morning, the 3rd of September, is the last real highlight: 4ft of ENE swell at 10 seconds—longer period, so better shape with more energy (259). The wind is south, cross-offshore, and gentle, so it’s clean. The water temperature is about 68°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, no big anomaly.

After that, the wind turns to crap again with a fresh cross-onshore breeze on the 4th and 5th of September, and the swell drops off. So, if you’re planning a session, aim for the morning of the 31st of August, or the mornings of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of September. The 31st is the best on offer.

Rusty.

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