Cobden Breakwater Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and let’s get into it. We’re looking at one spot on the map for this whole stretch: Cobden Breakwater. It’s a fairly consistent breakwater, and the water temp is sitting at 54.1°F, which is dead on average for this time of year. Nothing weird there, just normal cold water. You’ll want the full rubber.

The first action kicks off on Friday the 7th. Morning sees a 5.6ft west-northwest swell with a 10-second period, and the east wind is cross-off. It’s clean, and the energy reading is 598, which is moderate. It builds through the day, and by the afternoon we’re looking at 7.5ft of northwest groundswell with that easterly offshore holding it together. Energy jumps to 1053, and the conditions are excellent for anyone with some experience. Not for beginners, this is proper surf.

Saturday the 8th keeps it going. Morning swell is a touch smaller at 6.6ft from the north-northwest, but with a shorter 8-second period. Still offshore and clean, energy 561. The afternoon pumps it to 8.2ft, period stretches to 9 seconds, and the energy more than doubles to 1222. Again, this is for experienced surfers.

Sunday the 9th gets messy. Wind swings to the west-northwest, putting a cross-on breeze on it. The swell is still pushing 6.9ft in the morning and 5.2ft in the afternoon, but the chop and cross-shore wind knock the shine off. Marginal, questionable conditions. I’d give Sunday a miss.

Now here’s the standout in the first week. Monday the 10th. The swell drops to a clean 3.6ft, but it’s a long-period 15-second groundswell from the west-southwest. And the wind? It’s glassy in the afternoon. Totally flat-calm. The energy is still moderate at 848 in the morning, dropping to 559 by the arvo, but with that kind of period and clean conditions, it’s going to be pure, peeling lines. This is the sort of day where you paddle out and don’t want to come in.

Tuesday the 11th is smaller, with a 2.6ft swell in the morning and 4.3ft in the afternoon. Still clean with cross-off winds, but the energy is weaker. It’s a fun-size day.

The real power returns Wednesday the 12th. Morning sees 8.2ft of northwest swell with an 11-second period, energy is 1786, and it’s clean. By the afternoon it’s up to 9.8ft, and the energy cranks to 2163. This is big, powerful surf. Only for those who know what they’re doing. Thursday the 13th holds that size, with 8.2ft in the morning and a 12-second period, energy 1908. It backs off a bit in the afternoon to 6.2ft.

Now, into the second week, things get serious. Friday the 14th brings in a solid 9.8ft in the morning, energy 3240. By the afternoon it’s 11.5ft with a 13-second period, and the energy is at 4330. That’s very strong. The problem is, it’s too big for the break. It’s just going to be a washing machine. Saturday the 15th is worse, hitting 13.1ft in the afternoon. Again, just too much water moving for this breakwater to handle. It’s a kite-surfing dream, but for us paddle surfers, it’s a no-go.

Sunday the 16th holds those big numbers, 9.8ft with the energy at 3692 and 4873 in the arvo, and the period stretching to 17 seconds in the afternoon. That’s a very long-period groundswell. It’s still huge, but the wind stays cross-off, so it’s clean. This is expert territory, and even then, you’d want to be very selective. It’s likely going to be breaking too straight for a breakwater like this.

The swell finally backs down on

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