Darbys (Wilsons Promontory) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’m gonna level with you straight up—this 16-day stretch for Darbys is a bit of a grind. We’ve got a lot of cross-onshore wind and messy conditions to wade through before we see any real magic. The water’s sitting at a mild 57°, which is pretty much what you’d expect this time of year, nothing wild in the anomaly.

The opening days are a write-off. Tuesday the 11th kicks off with a 3ft SW swell out of a 14-second period, but that’s getting hammered by a 19 mph cross-onshore NW breeze. The combined energy is weak at 352, and the surf is just poor. Wednesday the 12th is even worse—stronger WNW winds at 25 mph and lumpy conditions, with the swell pushing up to 7ft by the afternoon but still messy.

Thursday the 13th and Friday the 14th keep that same theme: solid SW swell, 5ft to 6ft, with decent period (16 seconds) but cross-on winds from the WNW or W just ruin it. That 2270 combined energy on Friday morning is telling you there’s plenty of juice, but without clean wind, it’s just a washing machine. Not worth paddling out.

Now, Saturday the 15th is where we start to see a flicker of hope. The wind drops right off—3 mph from the SW on the morning, glassy—and the swell sits at a friendly 4ft with 15 seconds of period. The morning is marginal, but it’s getting there. Then Sunday the 16th is the standout for the first week. Clear skies, glassy conditions, and a clean 3ft SW swell with 14-second period. Combined energy is 407, so it’s weak but clean. For a beginner-friendly break like Darbys, this is your window. Light crowds to manage, and the offshore direction is favourable.

Monday the 17th holds up with small 3ft swell, glassy morning and clean offshore in the afternoon. Not huge, but tidy. Tuesday the 18th keeps that clean vibe with 3ft and glassy conditions. This little run of clean, small surf is the best on offer early on.

Then we hit a gap of a few days, from Wednesday the 19th through to Friday the 21st morning, with tiny surf—1ft to 2ft—and weak energy. It’s surfable but very ordinary. Friday the 21st afternoon picks up again with a 3ft SW swell and clean offshore conditions. Nice little session.

The second week sees a bit more size but also some wind. Saturday the 22nd is another true standout: clear skies, glassy afternoon, 3ft SW swell with 14-second period. Perfect beginner conditions, light breeze, clean. That’s your call for the week.

Sunday the 23rd fades back to small, and then Monday the 24th brings a lumpy 6ft swell with short 9-second period—choppy and poor. Not for paddle surfing. Tuesday the 25th and Wednesday the 26th have some cleaner moments with 5ft to 6ft SW swell and cross-offshore ESE winds, but it’s still marginal. The energy is moderate, but it’s not the cleanest.

Best on offer: no question, Sunday the 16th and Saturday the 22nd. Glassy, clean, small and fun for the beginners. Everything else you’re wrestling with wind or waiting out the small stuff.

Rusty.

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