Crescent Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at this stretch.

First up, we’ve got Crescent Head as the only option. It’s a classic point break, so it handles a southerly swell well, and it’s pretty consistent. The water temp is sitting at 69°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year.

The forecast starts off pretty flat for this weekend. Saturday morning has a tiny 2ft southerly swell with a short 8-second period, and only 82 (weak energy) behind it. Light cross-shore wind, but it’s just not doing anything. That afternoon gets a bit choppy with a 12 mph NNE breeze, and the swell is still tiny. Sunday is even smaller – 1.0ft on the morning and then a messy 5ft with a 22 mph southerly wind turning it into a lumpy mess. Not worth paddling out.

Monday morning, September 7th, we get a little bump to 6ft from the SSE, period 10 seconds, and light cross-off wind. The energy is moderate (562). It’s flagged as marginal, but it’s the first real sign of life. The afternoon goes onshore and choppy.

Tuesday, September 8th, is where things get interesting. The swell jumps to 10ft from the south, period 9 seconds, and the energy is very strong (2295). Morning has a clean cross-off breeze from the SSW. This is big, solid surf – 10ft is in the expert zone, so only the experienced crew should be out. It’s a standout for sheer power, but it’s a beast. The afternoon stays big but gets a cross-chop.

Wednesday the 9th drops back to 6ft, but it’s onshore. Not great.

Now, Thursday the 10th is another big one. Another 10ft south swell, period still 9 seconds, but the morning is clean with a cross-off SSW breeze. Energy is very strong again (2584). This is right up there with Tuesday – a powerful, clean session for experts. The afternoon stays 10ft, period 11 seconds, with a gentle cross-shore, so it’s still surfable but a little bumpy.

Friday the 11th morning is a gem. Swell drops to 6ft from the SSE, but the period is a nice 11 seconds, and the wind is cross-off and clean. Energy is 787 (moderate). This is flagged as “expect very good surf conditions.” This is the best of the week for a wider range of surfers – still solid, but not the big 10ft, and the longer period means better shaped waves. The afternoon gets a bit choppy.

Saturday the 12th morning is glassy. Swell is 4ft, 9-second period, and the wind is 3 mph from the ENE – dead calm. 388 (moderate energy). This is a clean, fun size for a point break, and it’s glassy. That’s a standout for a relaxing session.

Sunday the 13th is small and glassy again in the morning – 3ft, 9 seconds, 166 (weak energy). It’s surfable, but nothing special.

From Monday the 14th through to the end of the window, it’s mostly poor. Swell stays small, between 2ft and 3ft, with onshore or cross-shore wind. The exception is Wednesday the 16th morning: a 7ft south swell, period 8 seconds, with a clean cross-off SSW breeze. Energy is 980 (moderate). That’s flagged as “expect very good surf conditions,” so if you can wait, that’s another solid session, but it’s a week and a half away, so keep an eye on it.

The afternoon of the 16th then jumps to 10ft again, with a period of 11 seconds and very strong energy (3167). That’s another big one for experts, but the wind is cross-shore.

The final few days, from the 17th to the 20th, are mostly poor with small, onshore slop. The 19th morning has a weirdly long 16-second period on a tiny 2ft swell – that’s a long-period groundswell, but barely any height, so it’ll be a frustrating, slow day.

The standouts:
- Thursday the 10th morning – 10ft south swell, clean cross-off wind, very strong energy. Expert only, but it’s a proper session.
- Friday the 11th morning – 6ft, 11-second period, clean cross-off. Best for the biggest range of surfers – good shape, good energy.
- Saturday the 12th morning – 4ft, glassy, clean. The best for a relaxed, fun session.

Crowds at Crescent Head can be a factor sometimes, so keep that in mind for the standouts.

Rusty.

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