Coastguard Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – this forecast is a tough one to swallow. We’ve got a long stretch of nothing happening, and it’s not until the very end of the period that we even sniff a decent wave. You’ll have to be patient.

The first real recommendation comes on Monday, August 31, but even then it’s a serious tease. The swell is tiny at 1.0 ft from the ENE, but the period is a massive 17 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy. The combined energy checks in at a moderate 114, so there’s some push there, but it’s just not enough height. The morning has a light offshore wind from the WSW, which is a major plus for clean conditions. This is a “surfable but very ordinary” kind of day, and honestly, for a beginner-friendly spot like Coastguard Beach, it’s a bit of a letdown. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so no need for a thick suit, but you’ll be scratching for waves.

We then hit another dry spell until Wednesday, September 2. The morning offers a slight bump: 2 ft from the east with a 14-second period. The combined energy is up to 146 (moderate), and with a light NW cross-offshore breeze, it’s clean. It’s still only a “surfable but very ordinary” call, but it’s the best we’ve seen for a while. The afternoon gets messy with a cross-shore wind and a stronger 256 energy reading, but it’s not clean.

Thursday, September 3 is a write-off – strong winds and plenty of energy (447 in the morning, 458 in the afternoon) but the wind is cross or cross-onshore, making it a choppy, poor mess. The swell is around 2 ft to 3 ft from the ESE, but with heavy rain and a 25 mph north wind in the afternoon, it’s more of a kite day than a paddle day.

Now, here’s the one true standout. Friday, September 4. The morning session is the pick of the entire 16-day window. We’ve got 2 ft of east swell with a 12-second period, and the combined energy is a solid 326 (moderate-strong). The wind is offshore from the west at 12 mph, which means clean, groomed lines. The score is the highest of the whole forecast, and it’s the only session rated as “expect good surf conditions.” The swell direction (E) matches the optimum for Coastguard Beach (SE) reasonably well, and the offshore wind is a huge plus. This is the day to clear your schedule. The morning will be clean, with the offshore wind holding the waves up. It’s still small, but it’s the best quality we get.

After that, the surf fades again. Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6 see the swell drop to 2 ft and 0.7 ft, with onshore winds. The final days of the forecast (7 and 8 September) are small and either clean but tiny, or blown out.

So, to sum it up: a lot of flat and poor days, with a glimmer of hope on Monday, August 31 (tiny but clean and long-period), and one clear winner on Friday, September 4 morning. That’s your window. Don’t miss it.

- Rusty

Read more