Cobden Beach - The Channel Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s in store.

This forecast for the Cobden Beach area (Cobden Beach - The Channel) kicks off with a bit of a limp start but builds into a serious run of solid swell. The main story is a long period of significant wave energy, but much of it will be too meaty for this spot, so we have to pick the windows carefully.

Right off the bat, Thursday the 6th offers nothing worth paddling out for. Tiny waves that are surfable but ordinary. We skip straight past that.

Friday the 7th morning sees the first proper pulse arrive. A 5ft NW swell, period of 10 seconds, with the wind coming from the east as a cross-off. The combined energy reads as moderate at 498. Conditions are clean and it’s a solid beginner-friendly size. Friday afternoon bumps up to 7ft from the NW, but the east wind picks up a notch, and the swell is already pushing the limit for the break. It’s going to be a bit big and messy.

Saturday the 8th is back in the sweet spot. Morning delivers a clean 6ft swell from the NNW, period around 8 seconds, and cross-off winds from the ENE. Moderate energy at 426. Decent waves for a session. The afternoon gets better with 5ft and the same direction, combined energy climbing to 613, and the forecast suggests very good surf. This is one of the better windows of the whole outlook.

Sunday the 9th is out for most as the swell jumps to 10ft. That’s expert-only territory and the wind turns cross-onshore from the north. The afternoon cleans up slightly to 6ft, but the wind is now from the west and still cross-on. Not the pick.

Now, the true standout of the forecast falls on Monday the 10th. The morning shows a 4ft, long-period groundswell (14 seconds) from the west, with an easterly light breeze that flips offshore. Combined energy is 741 and moderate. The water temp is sitting at 54°, which is about average for this time of year (anomaly of -0.4°). In the afternoon, the wind drops to glassy, the swell bumps to 4ft, and the period stays solid at 14 seconds out of the west. Energy at 759. This is the cleanest, most inviting combo of the whole run. The Channel will be reeling off long, smooth lines.

Tuesday the 11th morning drops back to tiny 2ft waves, but with a very long 20-second period. That’s a lot of push for such a small height, making it tricky. The afternoon brings a short-period 6ft from the north, but the wind turns cross-on and it gets choppy.

From Wednesday the 12th through the weekend of the 17th, the swell is simply too big for this spot. Heights consistently above 8ft and often over 10ft. Combined energy reading four-digit figures (1779, 3427, 6265). This is strong to very strong energy. It’s not surfable for paddle surfing here; the setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than a traditional paddle session. The water temp remains in the normal range.

The second week sees things settle down. Monday the 18th offers a return to manageable size with a 6ft WSW swell, 9-second period, and clean cross-off easterly winds. Energy is moderate (753). Decent.

Wednesday the 19th morning serves up 6ft from the west, 9-second period, with an ESE breeze as a light cross-off. Clean and fun-sized.

Finally, Friday the 21st morning shapes up as another excellent call for experienced surfers. A 5ft west swell, long 15-second period, with light east winds as a clean cross-off. Total energy is moderate at 1037. Looks like a good way to wrap up the outlook.

Rusty.

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