Devonport Rivermouth Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, it’s a pretty bleak stretch ahead for Devonport Rivermouth (point/river). We’ve got a long dry spell on our hands. For the first twelve days, from Tuesday the 8th of September right through to Saturday the 19th of September, there’s really nothing worth paddling out for. The swell is tiny, mostly under 2ft, and even when a little bump shows up, the conditions are just ordinary. The combined energy is weak, often under 100, and the wave comment is consistently “poor surf conditions.” Wind is mostly cross or cross-off, but it’s just not enough to get excited about. There’s a brief moment on Saturday the 12th morning with glassy conditions and a 1.0ft, 16-second NW groundswell, but the energy is a measly 40 (weak) – it’s a flat spell, plain and simple. The water temp is about 55°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year.

Now, things start to get a bit more interesting later in the second week. The first real standout, and the best on offer, is on Sunday the 20th of September morning. We’ve got a decent 8ft NW swell at 7 seconds, with clean cross-off wind from the W at 9 mph. The combined energy is a solid 810 (strong wave energy), and the forecast says to expect very good surf conditions. This is a big, powerful swell, over 8ft, so it’s strictly for experienced surfers only. The 7-second period is a bit short, so don’t expect those long, lined-up waves, but with that much energy and clean wind, it’ll be punchy. The optimum direction is NW, and the swell is coming from the NNW, so it’s a good match. Keep in mind that crowds are possible here sometimes.

The other standout, but with a big caveat, is on Monday the 21st of September morning. The swell is pumping at 12ft from the NW, with an 8-second period and a massive combined energy of 1505 (very strong wave energy). The wind is offshore from the WSW at 22 mph, which will keep it clean. But the report says it’s predicted to be too big for this break. At 12ft, it’s only for experts, and even then, a point/river mouth might get unruly. The period is only 8 seconds, so it’s not a true groundswell, but the energy is enormous. This one’s a maybe for the brave, but I’d be cautious.

That afternoon on the 21st, the swell drops to 8ft, but the wind is still strong and offshore, though the forecast says it’s marginal. The 22nd has similar conditions but with a lower energy level.

The last week of the forecast sees the energy drop back down, with smaller swells and more cross-onshore wind, so it fizzles out again.

So, bottom line: don’t hold your breath for the first week and a half. The standout is the morning of the 20th of September for clean, powerful waves, but it’s for the big boys. The 21st morning is a monster but might be too much. The forecast is more reliable for those closer dates, so keep an eye on it.

This is Rusty, signing off.

Read more