Crab Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

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

Honestly, it’s a rough start. We’re looking at a solid block of poor conditions right through the first week and into the second. The wind is just relentless, howling from the southwest and northwest, and it’s messing up everything. You’ll see some serious swell energy come through—like 1815 (moderate) on Monday the 7th and 2038 (strong) on the 14th—but the onshore and cross-onshore wind is going to leave it all lumpy and chopped out. For a spot like Crab Island (Clare), an advanced reef break that’s fairly consistent, it’s a real gut punch. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so at least you won’t be freezing while you’re staring at junk.

The only glimmer of hope comes towards the end of the run. On the morning of Tuesday the 16th of September, things finally look like they might line up. We’ve got a 7 ft swell from the WSW with a period of 8 seconds, but the big news is the wind shifting to a light cross-offshore from the southeast. That’s going to clean things right up. The combined energy is 588 (moderate), so it’s not a monster, but it’ll be surfable. The score is a 2, but compared to everything else, that’s a win. Keep in mind the swell direction is WSW, and this break loves it from the west, so it’s a bit off the optimum, but with clean conditions we’ll take it.

Then there’s a potential standout way out on Saturday the 19th of September. The forecast shows a massive 12 ft swell from the west with a 12-second period, and the combined energy is a whopping 3809 (very strong). That’s a lot of water moving. For the afternoon, the wind goes cross-shore from the south, and the report says it’s wind and tide favorable, but the swell is predicted to be too big for this break. At 12 ft, this is strictly for experts only. The period is 12 seconds, so it’s a proper groundswell, and at a reef break like Crab Island, it could be absolutely pumping, but it’s going to be a heavy, dangerous day. Expect crowds, because this spot is often busy when it’s good.

The very last entry, on the morning of Monday the 22nd of September, shows another promising window. We’re looking at a 8 ft swell from the west with a 14-second period, giving us 1950 (strong) combined energy. The wind is a light cross-shore from the north-northwest, only 3 mph, almost glassy. That’s a long-period groundswell, which is a good sign for shape and power, but it can make things a bit fat at a beach break; at a reef like this, it should be fantastic. The score is a 3, the best of the entire forecast. This is the one to circle on the calendar, but it’s over two weeks away, so don’t lock it in yet.

So, to sum it up: the first week and a half is a write-off. The 16th gives us a brief, clean window, but the real prize is the 19th for the brave, and the 22nd for the hopeful. Stay patient.

Rusty.

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