Conto Springs Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a yarn about what’s heading our way for Conto Springs over this forecast run.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a serious pulse of energy moving in. Monday morning is already pumping with a solid 12ft swell from the SW, and the period is a fat 16 seconds – proper groundswell, you can feel that in your chest. The combined energy is massive at 6512 (strong wave energy). Water temp is sitting at 65°, which is a touch warmer than normal for the time of year, so you might get away with a thinner suit if you’re game. The wind is clean and offshore from the SE at 9 mph, making for glassy faces. This is one for experts only – anything over 5ft is getting into big-wave territory, and Conto Springs here is a reef, so it’s not a beginner’s game. Crowds can pop up here sometimes, so keep your wits about you. This is the standout of the whole run.

That Monday afternoon sees the wind shift to a cross-off from the SSE and picks up to 19 mph, so it gets a bit trickier with a fresh breeze. The swell holds at 12ft and 16 seconds, but the conditions are more marginal.

Now, Tuesday the 8th is the absolute gem of this forecast. Morning brings in a 13ft swell from the SW with a period of 17 seconds – that’s very long period groundswell, and the energy reading is through the roof at 9059 (strong to very strong). Wind is offshore from the ESE at 16 mph, keeping it clean and lined up. This is exceptional for experts again. If you’re good enough, this is the session to circle on your calendar. Afternoon holds solid with 12ft and offshore wind, but the breeze freshens so the morning wins.

Wednesday the 9th drops a notch. The swell is still a chunky 10ft, 15-second period, but the wind turns cross-off in the morning and goes cross-shore in the afternoon. It’s still surfable, but the magic is fading. Thursday and Friday see the swell easing into the 7ft–6ft range with a 15-second period, and the wind gets messy. Thursday afternoon offers a small window with a clean cross-off from the SSW at just 3 mph, giving you tidy 7ft waves – worth a look for experienced surfers, but not the standout.

Friday the 11th onwards, the wheels fall off for a while. From Friday morning through to the 16th, the wind is onshore or cross-on, mostly from the NW or WNW, blowing 16–25 mph, turning the ocean into a lumpy mess. Swell is still 8ft–12ft at times, but with that strong wind and short period on some days (14 seconds is still okay, but the chop kills it), it’s poor for surfing. This stretch runs about five days of pretty ugly conditions. Not worth paddling out unless you like getting your head knocked off.

On Tuesday the 15th, there’s a bit of hope. Morning brings offshore wind from the SE at 6 mph, with a 10ft SW swell at 14 seconds. The energy is still moderate to strong (3827). It’s clean, and the conditions are excellent for experienced surfers, but the swell height and period mean it’s still big for most. Afternoon stays offshore with a lighter 8ft swell – more manageable, but not the peak of the run.

Wednesday the 16th and Thursday the 17th turn ugly again with onshore winds, but Thursday the 17th afternoon sees a massive 16ft swell from the WSW with a 16-second period and energy reading of 12822 (very strong). That’s a monster, but the cross-shore wind at 19 mph makes it messy and dangerous – big kitesurfer energy, not a paddle boarder’s dream. The following days stay windy and blown out, with swells in the 8ft–15ft range but never the right wind.

The real standout here is Tuesday morning, September 8th – 13ft, 17-second groundswell, clean offshore breeze, and massive energy. Monday the 7th morning is a close second. If you’re an expert, those are your sessions. Everything else after the 11th is a write-off until a brief window on the 15th, but that’s just a consolation prize.

Rusty.

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