Forster Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and it’s good to be talking surf again. The next 16 days are a bit of a mixed bag, but we’ve got a few windows that are worth getting excited about. Forster Beach is the only spot on the radar, so let’s see what’s cooking.

The water’s sitting at 65°, which is about 0.9° cooler than average for this time of year. Nothing to write home about, just your standard winter chill.

The first few days are flat and forgettable. Thursday the 6th has some tiny 1ft S swell with a period of 11 seconds, but the wind is onshore in the arvo, and the combined energy is a weak 74. Not worth a paddle. Friday the 7th and Saturday the 8th see a little bump to 2ft, but it’s mostly short-period junk. The mornings are glassy, which is a tease, but the swell is too small to do anything with. Sunday the 9th gets a bit more size, 3ft ENE, but it’s messy with a cross-shore wind and a combined energy of 197. Still, it’s not good.

Then Monday the 10th, the wind goes offshore in the morning, but the swell is a jumbled 4ft NE with a short 8-second period. The combined energy is 357, but the waves are too weak and wind-affected to be fun. The arvo is a write-off.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Tuesday the 11th morning is the real standout. The swell jumps to 6ft out of the S with a period of 11 seconds, giving a combined energy of 923. The wind is light and offshore from the WNW, so it’s clean as a whistle. The break is fairly exposed to the south, so it’s going to pick up that energy nicely. This is a solid, punchy swell that’s got good shape. The sun’s out, and the conditions are pointing to some very good surf. The only downside is that crowds are often here, so get in early.

Wednesday the 12th is a bit of a letdown. The swell drops back to 2ft ENE, and while the wind is cross-offshore in the morning, it’s just not enough to hold your interest. The combined energy is a weak 139.

Thursday the 13th is a weird one. The swell is over 6ft from the SW, but the wind is howling offshore at 25 knots in the morning. That’s a strong breeze, and while it’s clean, the waves are going to be blown out and hard to paddle into. The combined energy is 427, but it’s not a surfer’s swell. It’s more of a kite day.

The next real window is Friday the 14th. The morning sees a 8ft S swell, with a 11-second period and a massive combined energy of 1296. That’s a lot of power. The wind is cross-offshore from the SW at 16 knots, so it’s clean. This is a big, meaty groundswell. Forster Beach is a fairly exposed beach, and with a period over 11 seconds, it’s going to break a bit straight. It’s a solid option for competent surfers, but beginners should stay out of the water. The arvo is nearly as good, with 7ft and a combined energy of 1657. The wind holds, so it’s clean.

Saturday the 15th is still fun, with 6ft S swell and a combined energy of 718. The wind is cross-offshore, so it’s clean. It’s a step down from Friday, but still a decent session.

After that, it drops off. Sunday the 16th through to Thursday the 20th is a stretch of small, weak surf. The swell hangs around 2ft to 4ft, but the wind is often cross-offshore or cross, and the combined energy is low. It’s not worth the effort.

Then, on Friday the 21st, we get a bit of a late burst. The morning is glassy with a 4ft S swell, a 12-second period, and a combined energy of 554. The wind is light, and the conditions are good. The swell is a bit long-period, so it’s going to be a bit more lined up, but it’s a clean, fun wave. The arvo turns onshore, so the morning is the window.

So, the absolute best on offer is Tuesday the 11th morning. That 6ft S swell with offshore winds is a beauty. The second best is Friday the 14th, with the big 8ft S groundswell and clean conditions, but it’s for the more experienced crew. Keep an eye on Friday the 21st morning for a last gasp of clean surf.

Rusty out.

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