Duckpool Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at what Duckpool Bay’s got coming our way over the next couple of weeks. Let’s cut straight to it – it’s a tough run.

First up, the water at Duckpool Bay is sitting at 66° right now, which is about 5° warmer than average for this time of year. That’s pretty notable, you’ll feel it.

We kick things off on Sunday the 30th of August with some proper thumping swell – 5ft to 7ft from the WSW. But the wind is a problem, blowing cross-onshore at 15-19 mph, and the whole session is marked as poor. The combined swell energy is moderate (666) but the chop is just messy, not worth paddling out for.

Monday the 31st sees the swell jump up to 8ft from the west with a period of 10 seconds. The energy is pumping hard (1112) but once again, it’s a strong cross-onshore wind at 19 mph. The wave quality is poor – lumpy and not fun. That kind of size with that wind is really only for the die-hards on a big board.

Tuesday the 1st of September drops back to a smaller 4ft from the west, moderate offshore wind, but still only a “poor surf conditions” call. The energy is low (195). Not much to write home about.

Wednesday the 2nd brings back some size – 6ft to 7ft from the WSW – but with a gusty 22 mph cross-onshore. The energy is moderate at best for the morning (340) and a bit better in the afternoon (569) but honestly, at this point, with the wind howling and the quality shot, it’s looking more like a kite surfer’s playground than a paddle spot.

There’s a long stretch here with nothing worth getting excited about. The conditions stay poor, the wind keeps ruining things. By Friday the 4th of September, we get a solid 10ft west swell with energy cranking over 1400, but again it’s a fresh onshore wind. It’s big power, but for experts only and even then, the wind is a buzzkill.

The weekend of the 5th and 6th sees the swell drop right off – down to 3ft and then 2ft. The morning of the 6th actually goes clean with a light cross-offshore breeze from the SSE, but the swell is tiny (57 energy). It’s a fun little ankle-snatcher for a longboard if you’re desperate.

Monday the 7th of September shows a pulse of longer-period groundswell – 5ft to 5ft from the west at 11-12 seconds, with moderate energy (602-726). That longer period suggests proper lines, but the winds are back to a moderate cross-onshore, so it’s going to be bumped up. The potential is there under the surface, but the surface is a mess.

Tuesday the 8th is the closest we get to a half-decent option. The swell is 5ft to 5ft from the west, period around 10 seconds, with a light northerly cross-shore breeze in the morning. The combined energy is moderate (535). The conditions are described as “gentle cross-shore with slight cross-chop” and the score is a 2. It’s marginal, but it’s the best on offer in the whole run. If you’re going to pick a session, this Tuesday morning is it. The wind isn’t ruining it completely, and there's enough energy to push a shortboard around. Crowds are possible here.

After that, the swell just fades away. By the 10th of September, we’re looking at tiny 1ft leftovers with hardly any energy (20-22). The tail end of the run around the 12th and 13th of September has some clean offshore winds from the ENE and NE, with a bit of 2ft to 3ft west swell and 10-11 second period. The wave quality is ordinary, but it’s clean. The energy is weak (135 then 122). That’s a small-wave glassy morning session if you’re after a quiet paddle.

To be honest, Duckpool Bay is not offering any true standouts in this 16-day window. Tuesday the 8th of September morning is probably your best bet, but it’s still only marginal. Everything else is either too windy, too small, or too lumpy. It’s a blank run, but that’s not unusual for this stretch – the forecasts can flip, but right now it’s looking lean.

Rusty.

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