Catherine Hill Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s cookin’ for Catherine Hill Bay over the next couple of weeks. It’s a mixed bag, so we gotta pick our moments.

Right off the bat, the water temp is sittin’ around 64°, which is pretty much average for this time of year – nothin’ to write home about, but you won’t need a steamer if the sun’s out.

First up, Sunday the 13th is a bit of a write-off. We’ve got some waist-high swell pushin’ in, around 3ft from the south with a period of 10 seconds, but that morning cross-shore breeze is gonna make it feel messy. Combined energy is weak at best (254), so it’s a tough paddle for not much reward. By the arvo, a fresh onshorer kills it dead.

Monday the 14th is more of the same – smaller, weaker, and choppy. Not worth wetting a wetsuit.

Tuesday the 15th is where it gets interesting for a window. Early morning we’ve got glassy conditions – dead calm, slight air – and a tiny 2ft northeast windswell creepin’ in. Period is short at 7 seconds, so it’ll be a bit fat and slow, but combined energy is tiny (80). It’s surfable, but don’t expect any barrels. Still, a clean, quiet session on a Tuesday is a gift if you’re keen.

Then things get serious. Wednesday the 16th sees a solid pulse of south swell hit. By the morning we’re lookin’ at 10ft of S swell, period 9 seconds, and the combined energy is cranked right up to 1474 – that’s strong. The problem? A fresh cross-shore wind is gonna make it lumpy and ugly. By arvo it’s 13ft and 3429 energy, but still messy. This is expert-only territory, and even then, it’s not gonna be pretty. This setup is more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing unless you’re a lunatic.

Thursday the 17th is the standout for the big-wave crew. Morning session sees 12ft of S swell (10 sec period) with a clean cross-offshore wind from the southwest. Combined energy is 2110 – very strong. The report says wind and tide are favorable, but the swell is predicted to be too big for this break. If you’re an expert and you know the bank, you might score a couple. Otherwise, it’s a look-and-learn day. Afternoon stays big at 10ft but the wind swings cross-shore and it gets messy again.

Friday the 18th morning offers a reprieve. Swell drops to 4ft from the south, period 9 seconds, combined energy 383 (moderate). With a slight offshore breeze from the north, it’ll be clean. This is your best chance for a fun, manageable surf if the big stuff scared you off. By arvo the onshore wind ruins it.

Saturday the 19th morning is glassy again. We’ve got 3ft of SE groundswell with an 11-second period – that’s a long-period swell, so it’ll have good shape and energy (393), but it might run a bit straight at a beach break. Best on a bank with a bit of shape. Clean as a whistle though.

From Sunday the 20th through to the end of the month, it’s mostly small, weak, or onshore junk. There’s a pulse of 10ft S swell on Monday the 21st, but it’s cross-on and choppy again. The tail end of the run (Monday 28th) shows some hope with 8ft S swell and a light onshore, but it’s a long way out and uncertain.

Bottom line: The best on offer is Friday morning, 18th September for a clean, manageable 4ft south swell with light offshore winds – perfect for a few hours of fun without the crowd. For the brave, Thursday morning, 17th September has the biggest, cleanest swell of the run, but only if you’ve got the skill and the nerve. That one’s for the experts.

Stay stoked.

Rusty

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