Broken Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – this is not a classic stretch for us. We’ve got a big pulse of swell showing up, but the timing and the wind are going to make it a game of patience. The real highlight is going to be Friday morning if you can get out, but even then, we’re working with some tricky conditions.

Let’s talk about the main event. Broken Head is a point break that’s fairly consistent and works best with swell from the ENE. The first real chance to get wet comes Thursday (10th September), but to be honest, it’s a bit of a brute. We’re looking at a solid 12 ft swell from the SSE with a period of 9 seconds. That is a serious amount of water moving around – combined energy is 1782 (moderate to strong), and those South swells don’t match the optimum direction. That wind is a cross-off at 19 mph, so while the surf will be clean, it’s a big, powerful wave. At 12 ft, that’s absolutely for experts only. The water temp is sitting at 69°F, and with the anomaly being about average for the time of year.

Now, the standout window. Friday morning, 11th September, is your best shot if you’re not a big-wave charger. The swell has dropped to a much more manageable 8 ft from the SSE, period is still 9 seconds. The energy is down to 799 (moderate). The wind swings to a light 9 mph from the south, still cross-off, and the comment says “expect very good surf conditions.” This is the cleanest, most surfable window of the whole outlook. 8 ft is still juicy and on the upper side for beginners, but for an intermediate to advanced surfer, this is the one to wake up for. The wind will groom it nicely at Broken Head.

After that, things fade and get messy. Friday afternoon sees a drop in swell and the wind turns cross at 12 mph, bringing in a chop. Saturday (12th) is pretty much a write-off with dropping swell and cross winds. There’s a glimmer on Sunday morning (13th) with a clean 4 ft SSE swell and light cross-off winds, but it’s weak. Energy is only 496 (moderate-low). It’s surfable, but not a headline.

There’s a long gap of poor conditions. Monday morning (14th) offers 3 ft with glassy wind, but it’s small and ordinary. That sets the tone for a dry spell.

Then, hold on. The forecast pushes a second, much bigger swell for the weekend of the 19th and 20th September. Saturday afternoon (19th) swings back up to an 8 ft SSE swell with a period of 8 seconds. That’s pumping energy (1000). But the wind is a disaster – moderate cross-onshore from the NNE at 16 mph, putting a nasty chop on the face. Even though it’s a big wave, the quality is terrible. The comment says “poor surf conditions.” For beach and point setups like this, that wind is a killer. Honestly, if you’re a kiter, that setup might be more interesting than paddling.

Sunday (20th) is a repeat: 8 ft to 7 ft from the SSE (11-second period, so some long period energy there) but the same tearing NE wind. That period is good for shape at a point, but the wind just ruins it.

So, the absolute best on offer is Friday morning, 11th September, at Broken Head. 8 ft of clean, cross-off swell. That’s your window. The following weekend (19th-20th) has the size but not the quality. It’s a frustrating outlook where the swell and the wind just don’t line up. Keep an eye on it, though – forecasts can change.

Rusty.

Read more