Dee Dees Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty here. Let’s cut through the noise and talk about Dee Dees. Honestly, the next couple of weeks look pretty grim for getting a proper wave there, but let’s walk through it day by day, because there’s maybe a glimmer of hope if you’re desperate.

We’re starting off with a real mess. Sunday the 16th has a solid 15ft of south swell, but the wind is howling from the south at 28 mph, making it a strong cross-shore with messy cross-chop. That’s a full-on blown-out situation, not a paddle-out. The water temp is 54°F, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, so no surprises there. The combined energy is strong at 2960, but it’s useless with that wind.

Monday the 17th morning is a bit smaller at 8ft, but the wind is still cross-shore and the forecast says it’s too big for this break. The energy is moderate at 1040. By the afternoon, it drops to 3ft but the wind swings cross-on and it’s choppy. Not worth it.

Tuesday the 18th is another write-off. The morning has 12ft with a fresh cross-onshore breeze, and the afternoon just gets worse with 16ft of swell and strong onshore wind. The energy is huge, over 4800 in the arvo, but it’s all junk. If you’re into kite surfing, this setup is looking more interesting than paddle surfing, honestly.

Wednesday the 19th brings more of the same – big swell, 15ft in the morning and 13ft in the afternoon, with cross-onshore winds and lumpy conditions. The energy is very strong, over 5900 in the morning. Still a total no-go.

Now, Thursday the 20th is the first sign of life. The morning looks like the only real chance in this whole run. Swell drops to 6ft from the south with a 12-second period, and the wind is light, almost glassy, from the WSW at just 3 mph. The energy is moderate at 1029. It’s still got that south swell direction which isn’t the optimum for Dee Dees (we want S, and it’s S, so that’s okay), but the forecast is only a 3/10, so it’s marginal. There’s a decent chance the tide is all wrong or it just doesn’t line up. Still, this is the standout window in the near term. The afternoon is smaller and the wind turns cross-shore, so it’s not as good.

The rest of the week is a slow decline into nothing. Friday the 21st has some waist-high waves but a moderate cross-shore breeze, making it lumpy. The period is long, 16 seconds, but it’s not clean. Saturday and Sunday are just poor, with wind picking up and the swell fading to nothing. The energy is weak to non-existent.

From Monday the 24th through the end of the month, it’s mostly bleak. The swell is small, the wind is often cross-on or cross-shore and blowing. There’s a brief bit of hope on Monday the 31st. The morning is glassy with light wind, but the swell is a tiny 1ft. The afternoon is clean with a light cross-offshore breeze and 3ft of SSW swell with a 13-second period. The combined energy is only 400, so it’s weak, but at least it’s clean. They say “expect good surf conditions,” but at that size, it’s a longboard or a foamie, and you’ll be scratching for anything. The energy is weak, so don't expect any push.

So, looking at the whole 16 days, the only real standout is Thursday morning, the 20th. That’s your best bet if you’re free. It’s a small, clean window before the wind and swell turn to rubbish. For the long range, a week and a half out, there’s that Monday afternoon on the 31st that looks clean but tiny – promising, but don’t book your day off work for it.

The crowds at Dee Dees can be a problem sometimes, so if you do get out on the 20th, you might have some company, but the conditions might keep a few people away. Also, it’s a reef, and it’s fairly consistent, but right now it just doesn’t have the right combo of swell and wind. It’s one of those periods where you’d be better off checking the cams, but don’t hold your breath.

That’s the rundown. Stay patient, and keep an eye on that Thursday.

Rusty

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