Dairy Beach (New Pier) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Dairy Beach (New Pier) . It’s a beach and pier setup, fairly exposed to the east, so it picks up that swell nicely when the direction lines up. Water temp is sitting at 68°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year—just over a degree and a half below average, so you’ll want a decent wetsuit.

The forecast kicks off from Friday 11th September, but honestly, the first week is a write-off for quality surfing. Friday afternoon has some chest-to-shoulder high swell at 4ft from the east, period around 9 seconds, and combined wave energy of 217—moderate. But the cross-off southerly wind is spoiling it, and the conditions are rated as poor. Saturday and Sunday stay similar: small, onshore or cross-on winds, and the swell gets messy. By Sunday morning, the swell bumps up to 4ft from the east-northeast, with energy jumping to 514, but the wind is cross-onshore and the surf is still poor.

Monday 14th September is a big one, but not in a good way for paddling. Swell hits 10ft in the morning, climbing to 13ft by afternoon, both from the east-northeast, with energy readings of 1216 and 2592—that’s strong to very strong. That’s far too big for anyone but the most seasoned experts, and with a strong breeze to near-gale onshore wind, it’s blown out and dangerous. Honestly, this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

Tuesday 15th September gives a small window of possible improvement. Morning sees 6ft from the east, period 9 seconds, energy 617, but the wind is light cross-onshore, making for only marginal conditions. The afternoon is similar, but still poor. Wednesday continues the same story: 6ft to 6ft east swell, light cross-onshore winds, and only marginal surf at best. Nothing to get excited about.

Now, we finally get a shift. Thursday 17th September is where things start to look decent. The swell swings around to the south, 8ft in the morning with a period of 8 seconds and energy of 1289, but it’s the wind that changes everything—strong offshore south-southwest at 25 mph. That’s clean, though hard to paddle into. By Thursday afternoon, the swell drops to 6ft, still from the south, period 8 seconds, energy 692, and the offshore wind eases to a moderate 16 mph. The conditions are rated as very good. This is the standout of the whole outlook. Dairy Beach will be offering clean, lined-up waves, best for intermediate and above. The south swell direction is right on the money for this break’s optimum.

Friday 18th September keeps the goods coming. Morning sees 7ft from the south-southeast, period 9 seconds, energy 754, with a light cross-off southerly breeze making it clean. Afternoon holds at 7ft, same direction, energy 769, and moderate cross-off wind. Still very surfable, though not quite as crisp as Thursday. Crowds can be likely here, so get in early.

From Saturday 19th September onward, the swell eases back. Saturday morning has 4ft, cross-off wind, but the energy drops to 285, and conditions are poor again. Sunday and Monday offer small, weak swell around 3ft to 4ft with periods dropping to 6-8 seconds, and the energy is low. Not worth paddling out for unless you’re desperate.

The second week, from 22nd September through to 26th September, is a mixed bag. Tuesday 22nd has onshore winds and 6ft to 7ft east-northeast swell, but it’s onshore and poor. Wednesday 23rd morning is marginal with 7ft from the northeast, cross-off wind, but energy is moderate at 673. Thursday 24th has a brief offshore window Thursday morning with 3ft from the east, but it’s tiny. The rest of the week fades to small, weak surf with onshore or cross-on winds.

Overall, if you want the best of the bunch, Thursday 17th September afternoon and Friday 18th September are your windows. Clean, solid south swell with offshore to cross-off winds, and the wave energy is solid. Before that, it’s mostly a mess or too big. After, it fades away. Get on it while it’s good.

Rusty.

Read more