Cunns Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, and I’m peelin’ back the layers on this one. Only Cunns is on the menu for the next 16 days, and it’s a spot that doesn’t fire all the time – inconsistent reef, but when it does, it’s worth the wait. Water temp is about normal for the season.

The first week kicks off Friday, September 4th, but it’s a washout. We got a 7ft SW swell with a 15-second period, but the wind is a nasty cross-onshore at 30 km/h, and it’s lumpy. The energy is 1958, but with that wind, it’s a no-go. Saturday the 5th is worse: 8ft to 10ft, and the wind is howlin’. Saturday afternoon might be just a little less bad, but it’s a cross-shore chop.

Finally, Sunday afternoon, September 6th, is the first real window. A 5ft SW swell, 14-second period, and the wind is a clean offshore from the ESE at 20 km/h. The energy is 1033 – moderate – but the shape will be good. This is the standout of the early run. It’s clean, but not huge, so it’s a good one for the experienced crew. Expect some company, as it gets crowded here sometimes.

Then we hit a flat spell. Monday the 7th and Tuesday the 8th drop to tiny 3ft to 5ft, all choppy. Wednesday the 9th to Friday the 11th is a cruel tease: the swell is 6ft to 7ft, and the period is a massive 19 seconds, but the wind is a near-gale to strong offshore at 45-50 km/h. The energy numbers are huge (2607 and 3186), but you’ll be pinned to the water tryin’ to paddle out. Clean, but brutal.

The next real gem is Saturday afternoon, September 12th. A 4ft SW swell, 16-second period, and a gentle breeze from the ENE – dead calm. The energy is 683, and it’s flagged as “expect very good surf conditions.” This is the second standout, and probably the best of the whole stretch. Tiny but perfect.

After that, it turns ugly again. Sunday the 13th and Monday the 14th, the wind swings onshore. Tuesday the 15th is a cross-shore mess. Wednesday the 16th is a full-on gale with 50 km/h winds – that’s a kiteboarder’s day, not a surfer’s.

Now, the final punch. Thursday, September 17th, we get a 10ft SW swell with an 18-second period, and the wind is offshore at 35 km/h. The energy is 4703 – that’s a big push. This is expert-only territory. It’s a long period groundswell, so it’ll be a bit walled up at a beach break, but Cunns being a reef will handle it. Friday the 18th and Saturday the 19th back off to 7ft to 8ft with lighter winds. This whole run from the 17th to the 19th is the big finish – a promise for the brave, but it’s far out, so don’t book your flight yet.

Best bets: Sunday afternoon, September 6th, and the glassy Saturday afternoon, September 12th. The big stuff on the 17th is for the heavy hitters only. There’s a long gap of junk from the 7th to the 11th, so pick your battles.

Rusty out.

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