Etang-Sale Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty here. We’ve got one spot firing in the 16-day window, Etang-Sale, a reef setup that’s strictly for the experienced crew. The water is sitting at about 76°, a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, which is a nice little bonus as you paddle out.

We start Monday the 14th of September with a solid SSW swell pushing 6ft, period around 14 seconds (long period groundswell), and combined energy is strong at (1115). SE wind is blowing 15 mph and though it’s offshore, it’s a moderate breeze – so the surface is clean but there’s a bit of texture. This surf is for advanced surfers only, dropping into the shallow reef. Monday afternoon sees the swell drop slightly to 5ft, but the wind picks up to 19 mph from the SSE, still offshore but fresh, and energy drops to (886) – it’s more marginal then.

Tuesday the 15th is bigger, with morning 5ft swell but a very long 18-second period from the SSW; combined energy rockets to (2258). Offshore wind is strong at 25 mph, so clean but a real battle to paddle into. Afternoon bumps to 6ft with a 17-second period, energy (2789), same strong offshore wind – still only for the brave.

Wednesday the 16th is where it gets serious. Morning has 10ft of S swell, 15-second period, and energy is ripping at (4292). Offshore wind at 16 mph from the SE, moderate, so it’s clean but huge. This is expert-only territory. Afternoon holds 10ft, 14-second period, energy (4015) – still massive and powerful.

Thursday the 17th is the standout of the whole run. Morning sees 7ft S swell, 13-second period, energy (2079) – but the wind is glassy from the SSW at just 3 mph. That’s magic. Afternoon glassy too, 6ft, 12-second period, energy (1355) – pure clean conditions for the experienced surfer, just waiting for set waves.

Friday the 18th drops a bit: 4-5ft, 11-second period, light offshore ESE and ENE breezes up to 9 mph – clean, moderate energy (816-929), very good surf but nothing epic.

Saturday the 19th is small with 3-4ft SW swell, very long 15-second period, but glassy WSW wind at 3 mph. Energy (587-712) is weak, but if you want a glassy, fun wave, it’s there.

Sunday the 20th picks back up with 4ft SW swell, 14-second period, energy (1117) in the morning. Gentle to moderate SE offshore breeze at 9-16 mph – clean and surfable.

Monday the 21st brings a curveball: 7ft but with an 8-second period from the ESE – that’s short-period, choppy energy (1228). Glassy SSW wind at 3 mph keeps it clean, but the shape may be junky on the reef. Better option is afternoon: 3ft, very long 16-second period, glassy calm wind – clean but small.

Tuesday the 22nd is small (3ft, 13 seconds), cross-offshore S wind, energy (577) – okay but nothing special. Afternoon turns onshore WNW at 6 mph, so it’s blown out.

Wednesday the 23rd: morning has 4ft, 15-second period, light cross-shore WSW wind – not ideal. Afternoon switches to light SSE offshore, 4ft, 15 seconds, energy (643) – clean again.

Thursday the 24th is a late-week standout. Morning: 4ft, very long 18-second period from SSW, energy (1388), clean with light cross-offshore SSW wind. Afternoon glassy with SE wind at 3 mph, 5ft, 16 seconds, energy (1849) – glassy and powerful for the experienced.

Friday the 25th and Saturday the 26th get big again with 7-8ft SSW swell, 14-16 second periods, energy in the 2000-3000 range, but wind is onshore (Friday) or strong offshore (Saturday). Saturday’s 19 mph SE offshore will be clean but a battle to paddle out.

Sunday the 27th through Tuesday the 29th hold 5-7ft SSW swell, 13-15 second periods, with fresh SE offshore winds at 16-25 mph. Energy ranges from (888) to (2015) – still clean but never glassy.

The one true standout is Thursday the 17th, with 7ft S swell and glassy wind. That’s your best window for clean, powerful reef waves. Wednesday the 16th is for the big-wave hunters only.

If you’re not an advanced surfer, this whole 16-day program is a pass – the swell is consistently too big or too strong for beginners. And from the 25th on, the wind is often fresh or strong, making it a real workout.

Rusty.

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