Forster Beach (Nambucca) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty here. We’ve got a bit of a slow start at Forster Beach (Nambucca), with the first proper surf not showing up until Friday 21 August. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so nothing to write home about on that front.

Friday morning, we’re looking at a small 3ft swell from the ENE with a short 6-second period and weak energy (77). The wind is dead calm though, making it glassy – so you’ll get some clean little waves if you’re on a foamie or longboard, but it’s pretty ordinary. That afternoon the wind picks up from the NE at 12 mph, chopping things up, so don’t hold your breath.

Saturday 22 August is a write-off – tiny 2ft swell and poor conditions both morning and afternoon. Sunday 23 August isn’t much better, though the morning has a light S cross-off breeze keeping it clean, but the swell is only 2ft with a 7-second period and weak energy (39). Monday 24 August morning brings a glassy 2ft S swell with a longer 11-second period and moderate energy (158) – surfable but very ordinary.

The first real standout comes on Wednesday 26 August morning. We’ve got a 4ft ENE swell with an 8-second period and moderate energy (223). The wind is glassy with a light N breeze, so expect good surf conditions. It’s still small, but clean and fun for a beginner-friendly beach break.

Then Thursday 27 August morning is looking promising – a 3ft S swell with a 9-second period and moderate energy (291), with a fresh SW offshore breeze at 9 mph. That’s gentle offshore and clean, making for some nice lined-up waves. This is the best window of the first week. The afternoon sees a bigger 5ft S swell with a longer 11-second period and strong energy (601), but the wind turns cross-onshore, so it gets a bit choppy.

Friday 28 August morning is another glassy session – 4ft S swell, 10-second period, moderate energy (340), with a light NE breeze. Good surf conditions again. The afternoon gets messy with a NE cross-onshore.

Saturday 29 August morning has a fresh SW offshore at 19 mph, blowing clean over a 3ft ENE swell with a 9-second period and moderate energy (302). It’s a bit windy, but the offshore wind will groom it nicely. The afternoon is cleaner but the wind is still strong.

Sunday 30 August is a day to skip – moderate rain, strong SSE winds, and a 8ft NE swell with a short 7-second period and strong energy (578) – but the wind is cross-shore, making it lumpy and pretty average. This is really more for kite surfers than paddle surfers.

Monday 31 August morning is marginal with a 5ft ENE swell, 8-second period, moderate energy (247), and a cross-off SW breeze keeping it clean. Then Tuesday 1 September morning kicks off with a glassy 4ft E swell, 9-second period, moderate energy (254), and expect good surf conditions. The afternoon is also glassy with a 4ft ENE swell, 9-second period, moderate energy (302), and light rain – another good option.

Wednesday 2 September morning is clean with a light SSW cross-off breeze over a 4ft E swell, 8-second period, moderate energy (201) – good surf conditions. The afternoon gets a bit messy with a cross-shore SE wind.

Thursday 3 September morning is the pick of the second week – a 3ft E swell with a long 11-second period and strong energy (363), glassy with a light SSE breeze. That’s clean, lined-up, and perfect for a longboard. The afternoon turns onshore, so get in early.

Friday 4 September and Saturday 5 September fade out with small 3ft E swells, short periods, and cross-onshore winds – not much to get excited about.

Overall, the best surf is on Wednesday 26 August morning, Thursday 27 August morning, Friday 28 August morning, and especially Thursday 3 September morning. Crowds are possible at Forster Beach, so keep that in mind if you’re chasing a peak.

Rusty.

Read more