Coxos Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let's get into it. We've got a stretch of days ahead where the ocean's got a lot of movement but the wind's going to be battling the quality for a while. We're looking at some solid pulses of swell that get chopped up, a couple of clean windows that are definitely worth a paddle, and a long stretch of junky conditions before we see a final clean, small lull.

The Early Stretch: Lumpy and Choppy

We start off on Wednesday the 9th with clear skies but a fresh 30 km/h north wind blowing straight onshore, making it lumpy. Swell is around 6ft from the NNW with a short, weak 8-second period. The energy is weak to moderate (369-427), but the surface is all over the shop. This is not your morning for a wave. Thursday morning is similar, 6ft at 8 seconds (606), still cross-onshore and choppy. Thursday afternoon backs off in size to 4ft, and the period jumps up to 11 seconds (539), but the NW wind is still fresh and ruining any chance of a clean face. Friday and Saturday look pretty average too, with the cross-on wind never really letting up. You're going to be dealing with 4ft to 5ft of wind-affected slop (183-307). It’s just poor out there, to be honest.

The First Real Window: Sunday Morning

Now, this is more like it. Sunday the 13th, the wind drops out entirely and we get a glassy morning. It’s still a small day, 3ft from the NW, but the period is a solid 13 seconds (512) and the water is flat, clean, and inviting. You’ll be paddling out at Coxos, and you’re in for a treat compared to the last few days. There’s not a ton of push, but it’ll be the best shape you've seen in a while. The water is a bit colder than normal for the time of year, at 66°, so keep that in mind. The afternoon cleans up with a light NW onshore, but the morning is where it’s at. This and Monday morning are your best bets for the first week, with similar cleaner conditions, but it’s marginal.

A Long Stretch of Poor Surf

From Monday the 14th, things start to get messy again. The wind clocks back onshore, and the swell drops off. We’re looking at wind-blown, weak waves for days. The 15th and 16th are poor, with a stiffening wind and not much energy. The 17th and 18th get bigger again, 5ft to 7ft, but it’s all coming with 25-35 km/h cross-onshore winds, so it’s a raw, lumpy mess. The energy levels are up (509-665), but you're not going to want any part of it. There’s a lot of water moving and it’s just messy on the surface. This is one of those periods where the raw power is there but the planets are not aligned for a quality surf.

Second Week Promise: A Clean, Smaller End?

The next real clean window doesn’t show up until the very end of the forecast period. On Tuesday the 22nd, we finally see a shift. The wind goes light from the ENE, a cross-offshore, and we get clean conditions. The swell is tiny, just 3ft from the WNW with an 11-second period (141), but it’s clean. This isn’t going to be a big day, but it might be a "few little runners" day. Wednesday the 23rd morning is similar, with a light offshore SE wind and 2ft swell (135). It’s marginal, but clean. For the final period after the 17th, the standouts are these clean mornings, but you have to be flexible and ready to paddle for small waves.

The Standout

If I had to point to the one true standout on offer, it’s Coxos on Sunday morning, September 13. The glassy conditions, the long 13-second period from the NW, and the promise of clean, well-shaped waves on a quality reef break make this the clear winner. It won’t be big, but it will be clean, and that’s worth a lot. Keep an eye on Monday the 14th as a consolation, with similar but slightly smaller surf.

A Note on the Water

Remember that water temp at the start is 66°, a bit colder than usual. It’s a trend worth noting for your wetsuit choice.

Alright, that’s the long and short of it. It’s going to be a period of being patient, cleaning your board, and picking your moments. The surf will be there, just not every day.

Catch you in the water.

Rusty.

Read more