Cox Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line for the next couple of weeks.

We’re starting with a bit of a slow spell, but there’s definitely some clean, glassy windows to get excited about if you’ve got a log or a funboard. The first real opportunity to get wet is Sunday the 30th, and it’s a beauty.

Sunday morning, August 30th, we’ve got a 3ft SW groundswell rolling in with a 17-second period. That’s proper long-period energy, ideal for a setup like this. The wind is light from the SSE, which is a clean cross-off breeze. The water is sitting at 59°, bang on normal for this time of year, so no surprises there. The combined energy is moderate (513). This is the standout of the first week.

Sunday afternoon goes glassy. 3ft of SSW swell, 16-second period, and the wind dies to almost nothing. It’s going to be silky smooth, just a really nice afternoon session.

Monday morning, August 31st, is another cracker. Glassy conditions again, 3ft SSW swell at 16 seconds, with moderate energy (505). If you can get out early, it’ll be worth it.

Monday afternoon the wind swings onshore from the WNW, so the quality drops off. The surf gets a bit choppy and messy.

Tuesday, September 1st, the swell drops a touch to 2ft, but the wind is cross-off from the SSE on the afternoon session, making for clean little waves. Not a standout, but a fun option if you’re keen.

Wednesday, September 2nd, gets hammered by heavy rain and strong winds, up to 25 mph. The ocean will be a mess. Give it a miss.

Thursday, September 3rd, is a big turnaround. The swell jumps to 5ft from the W, with a short 9-second period. The combined energy is strong (621). The real treat is Thursday afternoon: glassy, flat calm, with 4ft of clean W swell. That’s a contender for the best session of the whole outlook, right there. The short period means it’ll be a bit lumpy and sectiony at a beach break, but with no wind, it’ll be super fun.

Friday, September 4th, the morning has onshore wind, but Friday afternoon goes glassy again with a 2ft SSW groundswell at 18 seconds. That’s a very long period, which will wrap in nicely, but be aware it can close out a bit on the beach sections. The energy is strong (580).

The rest of the first week and into the second week – from the 5th to the 13th of September – the surf stays small, generally between 2ft and 3ft, and mostly onshore or light cross-shore winds. There are a few glassy windows, like Monday afternoon, September 7th, and Wednesday morning, September 9th, but the swell is tiny. It’s a long period of marginal, grovelly conditions.

Then we get a late wildcard. Thursday, September 10th, the swell spikes again. The morning is a windy 5ft from the WNW, but Thursday afternoon brings a 6ft WNW swell, 7-second period, and glassy, calm winds. The combined energy is strong (603). This is the biggest swell of the outlook, and with zero wind, it’s going to be a proper, powerful session. That’s the second big standout. It’s a week and a half away, so keep an eye on it, but it’s looking promising.

After that, from the 11th to the 13th, it’s back to small, onshore, and poor. Not much to write home about.

So, to wrap it up: the best bets are Sunday morning, August 30th, for the long-period groundswell, and Thursday afternoon, September 3rd, and Thursday afternoon, September 10th for the glassy, bigger waves. Crowds are listed as "sometimes" here, so you might get some company on those prime windows.

Rusty.

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