Duckpool Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’ve got a long look ahead at Duckpool Bay, and I gotta be straight with you – it’s a tough stretch. The first week and a half is pretty much a write-off for decent paddling, but there might be a couple of flickers of hope late in the game.

The main issue is nearly constant onshore or cross-onshore winds, and the swell is mostly wind-driven and short period. The water is running at 66°F right now, which is a full 5°F warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s a real standout. The first proper surfable day doesn't look like it shows up until the 13th of September, so we’re looking at a gap of nearly two weeks of poor to flat conditions.

From the 31st of August all the way through to the 12th of September, the forecast is a mess. The swell charts show a lot of churn, but the wind is relentless. The 31st sees a 8ft swell from the west, but with a 19 mph NW cross-onshore wind, it’s just a lumpy, blown-out mess. The combined energy is high at 1155 (moderate to strong), but it’s all for nothing. This is a beach setup, and with the wind, it’s honestly looking more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

We get a bit of a pulse on the 4th of September with a 7ft west swell and an onshore wind, but it’s still poor. The energy is there (507), but the quality is zero. The 7th of September has a bit of a long-period chat (13 seconds) with a 5ft swell from the west that brings 619 energy, but again, the wind is cross-onshore. It’s a tease.

Now, for the standouts. The only real window in this entire 16-day outlook is around Sunday the 13th of September. The morning looks cleanest with a light offshore wind from the east. The swell is small, just 2ft from the west, with a period of 9 seconds. The energy is weak (116), but for the first time in ages, the wind is clean and the waves are surfable. It’s not going to be big, but it will be the most fun of the whole run. The afternoon picks up a bit to 4ft from the west, still with a clean cross-off breeze. It’s ordinary conditions, but it’s surfable. The break is inconsistent, so you’ll be waiting for the sets, but on a day like that, you’ll have it to yourself.

After that, the 14th and 15th of September turn ugly again. The 15th packs a punch with a 10ft west swell and a strong 28 mph cross-onshore wind. The energy is huge at 1526 (very strong), but it’s a complete washing machine. Only for the experts, and even then, it’s dangerous and messy.

So, bottom line: the first two weeks are a washout. The best bet is the 13th of September for a small, clean, and quiet session. It’s a long wait, but it’s the only one on offer.

Rusty.

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