Forster Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer at Forster Beach over the next couple of weeks.

First up, we’ve got a bit of a slow start. The surf kicks off on Saturday, 29th August, but it’s nothing to get excited about. We’re looking at a 4ft SSE swell with a 10-second period, but the wind is cross-off from the south at 9 mph, so it’s clean enough. The combined energy is moderate (363). The water is sitting at 66°, which is pretty much average for this time of year. It’s a beginner-friendly wave, but honestly, it’s marginal. We get a bit of a bump Saturday afternoon to 5ft, but the wind swings cross-shore and it gets messy – poor conditions.

Sunday, 30th August, the swell drops to 4ft from the SSW, and the morning is clean with a light cross-off breeze. The energy is still moderate (530). It’s surfable, but not a standout. Monday morning, 31st August, is interesting – the swell is only 2ft, but it’s a long-period 16-second groundswell from the south. The wind is glassy, and the energy is moderate (511). That long period will give you some nice, lined-up waves, but beach breaks can get a bit straight. Still, a glassy morning with that period is worth a paddle.

Then we hit a real dry spell. From Tuesday, 1st September, through to Saturday, 5th September, the swell drops to 2ft to 3ft, and the wind is mostly poor. The energy drops off to weak values (81 to 188). There’s a morning on the 4th with glassy conditions, but only 2ft of swell – barely a ripple. The 5th is a write-off. This is a gap of several days with no real recommendations.

Sunday, 6th September, the swell picks up a little to 3ft, but it’s cross-shore and choppy. Nothing doing.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. On Monday, 7th September, we see a spike: a 7ft SW swell with a short 8-second period, but the wind is a strong cross-off from the NW at 22 mph. The energy jumps to moderate (638). The afternoon gets even better – 8ft SSW swell, 10-second period, and offshore wind from the WNW at 16 mph. The energy is strong (1269). This is big, punchy stuff, but at 8ft, it’s pushing into expert territory. The wind is clean, but the short period means it’ll be a bit dumpy.

Tuesday, 8th September, is the standout. We’ve got a 10ft SSW groundswell, 11-second period, with a strong offshore wind from the west at 25 mph. The combined energy is very strong (3796). This is a serious swell. The wind is strong offshore, making it clean but hard to paddle into – only for the experienced crew. The afternoon stays big at 8ft, same direction, still offshore.

Wednesday, 9th September, keeps the size with a 10ft S swell, 13-second period, cross-off wind. The energy is very strong (2715). It’s clean, but that 10ft is a beast. Thursday morning, 10th September, is the true gem: 7ft SSE swell, 12-second period, and glassy. The energy is strong (1281). Glassy conditions on a 7ft groundswell with that period – that’s your best window. The break is Forster Beach, a beginner-friendly spot, but with this size, it’s more for intermediate to advanced surfers. The swell direction is SSE, which matches the optimum SE direction fairly well.

After that, the swell slowly fades through to the end of the period, with smaller waves and onshore winds creeping back in. The 13th is a washout.

So, if you’re looking for the best, hit Thursday, 10th September, morning. The combination of a 7ft SSE groundswell, 12-second period, and glassy conditions is as good as it gets. Tuesday, 8th September, is also a standout for the big-wave hunters, but it’s a serious paddle.

Rusty.

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