Cathedral Rock Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, surfers, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.

We’ve got a solid run of swell coming our way, but you’re gonna need to pick your moments. The first real action kicks off Sunday, August 23rd, and it’s a bit of a wild ride, especially for the more experienced crew.

Cathedral Rock is the only game in town for this entire forecast, and it’s a classic point break that handles the swell well. The water temp is sitting at a nice 57°, which is pretty much what you’d expect for this time of year.

Sunday morning, August 23rd, we’re looking at a clean 8 ft SW groundswell with a 14-second period. The combined energy is pumping hard at 3403, and with a light, cross-off NW breeze, the waves will be groomed and lined up. This is excellent surf, but at 8 ft, it’s for the experienced crew only. The wind holds through the afternoon, and the swell period stretches to 16 seconds, making for some proper, powerful waves that will wrap beautifully around the point. Keep an eye out for crowds, though – it’s a spot that can get busy.

The swell drops a touch for Monday, August 24th, with a 6 ft SW swell, still clean and cross-off. The energy backs off to 1432, but it’s still a very good day for intermediates feeling confident. The afternoon sees a slight drop to 6 ft, but the winds go glassy-light, making for some clean, fun waves.

Tuesday, August 25th, the wind goes a bit messy with a light cross-shore and some rain. The swell is a solid 7 ft, but the quality is marginal. You’ll still find waves, but they won’t be the clean lines of the weekend.

The middle of the week gets a bit frustrating. Wednesday, August 26th, sees a jump in energy to 3781 with a 8 ft SW swell, but the wind swings cross-onshore, chopping up the face. The swell stays big, but the quality is poor. This setup is looking more interesting for the kite surfers than paddlers.

Thursday, August 27th, is a reset. The swell drops to 3 ft in the morning, which is small, but the wind is light and cross-off, offering a clean window. The afternoon picks up to a very clean 5 ft WSW swell with a 14-second period, a great time for a longboard or a fun mid-length.

Friday, August 28th, the swell builds back to 8 ft with a long 17-second period from the SW, but the cross-shore wind returns. The energy is high (3538), but the surf will be a bit bumpy.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Saturday, August 30th, we’re looking at a serious pulse. A 13 ft SW swell hits, with a massive 9053 energy reading. The problem? The wind is cross-on, light, but onshore. The size is purely for experts, and the conditions will be lumpy. It’s going to be a beast of a day, but not a pretty one.

The real standout, the one you’ve been waiting for, is Thursday, September 3rd. The afternoon session is absolutely insane. A 16 ft WSW groundswell with a 15-second period, blasting through with a combined energy of 17031. And the wind? Clean, cross-off from the WNW. This is exceptional surf for expert surfers only. The sets will be huge, powerful, and perfectly groomed. If you are a paddle fit, experienced surfer, this is the day to circle on your calendar. It’s the best of the entire forecast.

The run-up to that day is also worth noting. Wednesday, September 2nd afternoon, a 10 ft SW swell with clean cross-off winds and a 4059 energy reading is a solid warm-up. Friday, September 4th, holds a 13 ft swell in the morning, still clean, with the energy at 12248 – another huge day for the big-wave crew.

The following weekend, September 5th and 6th, the swell sticks around. The 6th looks promising, with a 10 ft W swell and clean offshore winds on Sunday morning, and a glassy 7 ft SW swell on Sunday afternoon for a memorable session.

The final day, Monday, September 7th, has a clean 8 ft SW swell to start, but the afternoon gets wrecked by a strong cross-shore wind.

Overall, the first week is a mixed bag of excellent clean days and choppy, blown-out ones. The second week, starting from the 30th, is a proper big-wave grind, leading to that unbelievable Thursday, September 3rd. That’s the one. Don’t miss it if you’ve got the skills.

Rusty.

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