Emerald Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Looks like we’re in for a bit of a dry spell before things perk up, so don’t be too quick to grab your board for the morning session.

We’ve got a solid stretch of days starting now with hardly anything worth paddling for. From Friday the 28th of August right through to Friday the 4th of September, it’s all poor surf conditions – small, weak, and messy. The swell’s barely a whisper, just 1ft to 2ft from the ENE, with short period around 8 to 10 seconds, and combined wave energy staying low, in the 30s and 40s (moderate energy only shows up briefly on the 3rd and 4th, hitting 90 and 86, but still poor). Winds aren’t doing us any favours either, mostly cross or onshore. A mention for Emerald Beach here – it’s a point break, fairly consistent, exposed to a NE optimum, but it’s just not on. Not a single standout break in this first week – it’s all flat or junk.

Then on Saturday the 5th of September, we finally get a little pulse. Saturday morning sees glassy conditions – light NNW wind, near calm – with a 3ft NNE swell and 6-second period. Combined energy hits 97 (weak). The wave comment says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” It’s not much, but it’s the best we’ve seen. Sunday morning the 6th goes glassy again with a longer 1ft ENE swell at 10 seconds, energy down to 58, but clean. Nothing to write home about.

The real hope shows up on Thursday the 10th and Friday the 11th of September. Thursday afternoon brings a 6ft NE swell with 6-second period, combined energy hitting 204 (moderate energy). The problem is onshore wind from the NNE at 16 mph and the wave comment remains “poor surf conditions.” Friday the 11th though – that’s the one to circle. Friday morning we get a 5ft NNE swell, period still short at 6 seconds, but the wind swings south-southeast at 9 mph, giving us clean cross-offshore conditions. Combined energy is 177 (moderate energy). The wave comment says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” It’s not epic, but it’s the most size and cleanest look in the whole 16-day window. Friday afternoon holds clean cross-offshore too, with 4ft NE swell and energy at 133. This is your best bet – a couple of days with a bit of push and clean lines. For an intermediate, that 5ft swell is just right, not too big for beginners either. Keep in mind the short period means shorter, dumpier waves – not the long lines you’d get from a proper groundswell.

After that, Saturday the 12th rolls in with a 3ft NE swell and onshore wind, so it’s back to the waiting game. That’s the run.

Bottom line: the first week is a write-off. Don’t bother. The standout is Friday the 11th of September – early morning, clean, with a bit of size. That’s your session. Everything else is either tiny, choppy, or just plain ordinary. The water temperature is near normal for this time of year, nothing unusual to report.

Crowds at Emerald Beach can be often, so especially on that Friday morning, expect company at the point. It’s a fairly consistent spot, but it’s been slow for a while – that’ll get people out.

Signing off – Rusty.

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