Empty Lots Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s have a look at what’s happening here. Honestly, the outlook for Empty Lots (reef) is a grind for the next couple of weeks. It’s a reef break that’s fairly consistent, but it’s exposed to the swell and the direction we’re seeing just isn’t lining up with what it likes – it wants swell from the SSE. The water temperature is sitting at 81°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

We kick off on Monday the 7th of September, and it’s a write-off. A strong cross-onshore wind from the ESE at 28 mph, with a 8ft SW swell – that’s just messy and dangerous. The combined energy is a huge 4401, but it’s all for nothing with that wind. Surf quality is poor, and honestly, this only looks interesting for kite surfing.

Over the next few days, the wind stays cross-on or cross-shore, and the swell drops. By Wednesday the 9th, we’re down to 3ft SSW swell, with a long period of 14 seconds, but it’s still cross-on from the SE. The combined energy is 481, but it’s marginal at best. Thursday the 10th has a 5ft ENE swell with a short period of 7 seconds and a cross-shore wind – not great shape, and the energy is moderate at 735.

From Friday the 11th through to the middle of the following week, it’s tiny. We’re talking 1ft to 3ft swells, mostly from the SSW or SW, with periods ranging from 14 to 22 seconds. The combined energy dips to as low as 99. The wind is mostly cross or cross-on, but it’s light. There is a glimmer on Wednesday the 16th of September – the afternoon goes glassy, with a 3ft SSW swell and a period of 18 seconds, and the combined energy is 698. That’s the best of the bunch, but it’s still small. The next day, Thursday the 17th, also has a glassy afternoon with 3ft SW swell and 16-second period. That’s clean, but tiny.

The second week is a real struggle. From the 18th to the 22nd, we’re looking at 2ft to 4ft swells, mostly cross-on winds, and the combined energy is mostly moderate. On Monday the 21st of September, the afternoon goes glassy again with a 2ft SSW swell and 14-second period, but it’s barely enough to get excited about. The 22nd has a clean cross-shore wind but again, very small.

So, the standout here is, without a doubt, the glassy afternoon windows on Wednesday the 16th and Thursday the 17th of September. Swell is only 3ft, but the wind is dead calm, the water is smooth, and the reef will be clean. It’s not going to be a big day, but for a rare, clean session at Empty Lots, that’s your best bet. Crowds are possible there, especially on a clean day.

Rusty.

Read more