Cape Paterson Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty. Look, it’s been a bit quiet, but we’ve got some windows at Cape Paterson. This is a protected beach and reef setup that works best on a good SW swell and some clean wind. Overall, we’re looking at a few promising mornings but plenty of rough days mixed in too, especially into the second week. Water temp is about 56°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, nothin’ wild there.

Sunday morning the 16th is our first real nod – clean, glassy conditions with a light NE breeze at 3 mph. Swell is coming from the SW at 5 ft with a 14-second period, so there’s some decent energy in the water (991 combined energy). It’s not huge but it’s clean and rideable. That morning window is the standout early on. By arvo, the wind swings SE and it gets cross, choppier, more marginal.

Monday the 17th is okay on the morning with a cross-off E breeze at 9 mph and a 5 ft SW swell (777 combined energy). Clean enough but nothin’ to write home about. The arvo has more size at 5 ft and longer 16-second period, energy jumps to 1271, but it’s a bit blown.

Tuesday the 18th morning is a real highlight – offshore ENE wind at just 6 mph, clean lines, 4 ft from the WSW at 14 seconds (789 combined energy). This is worth paddling out for if you can. Arvo’s okay but the wind gets cross-off again.

Wednesday the 19th and Thursday the 20th are small and pretty average – 3 ft to 3 ft, poor conditions. Not worth the effort.

Friday the 21st gets interesting for the right surfer. Morning has a 3 ft WSW swell but a very long 19-second period – that’s proper groundswell, energy jumps to 1106. Wind is cross-off NW at 12 mph, clean. These long-period swells can be a bit straight at beach breaks, but Cape Paterson being a reef and beach setup, it might offer some shape. Arvo jumps to 5 ft and 1587 combined energy but the wind turns cross, so it’s messier.

Now Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd – this is big. Swell hits 10 ft from the WSW, energy readings over 4000. But the wind is onshore or strong cross, blowing hard at 15 to 22 mph. This is expert-only territory and only if you’re keen on big, messy surf. Honestly, with poor quality and that much wind, it looks more like a kite surfing day than paddle surfing.

Monday the 24th is even bigger – 12 ft swell, 28 mph cross-on wind, total mess. Tuesday the 25th drops to 8 ft but still cross-on and lumpy. That whole period from the 22nd through the 25th is a write-off for clean waves.

Wednesday the 26th calms down – 5 ft SW swell, 12-second period, cross-off E wind at 9 mph. Clean, but only marginal energy (514). Thursday the 27th morning is the final true standout: offshore NNE wind at 9 mph, 5 ft SW swell with an incredible 18-second period – that’s a very long groundswell (2123 combined energy). This is excellent for experienced surfers. The reef and rock setup at Cape Paterson will love that direction and period. Don’t miss that morning if you can handle the paddle between sets.

Friday the 28th is solid too – 6 ft SW swell, 16-second period (1829 combined energy), cross-off wind. Clean, but not as clean as Thursday morning. After that, Saturday the 29th through Monday the 31st tail off into smaller, wind-affected, or just poor.

So overall, the best windows are Sunday morning the 16th for a glassy little session, Tuesday morning the 18th for clean offshore fun, and then the big prize – Thursday morning the 27th with that long-period groundswell and offshore wind. That Thursday is the one to circle.

Rusty.

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