Forster Beach (Nambucca) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s talk about what’s ahead for Forster Beach (Nambucca). This is an exposed beach break that’s best for beginners, and it’s fairly consistent. The water temp is sitting at 67°F, which is pretty much bang on normal for this time of year, so nothing unusual there.

The 16-day window kicks off with a bit of a slow start. Thursday the 20th is a write-off – the morning has a tiny 4ft swell from the ESE with a short 7-second period, and a cross-on wind from the NE at 6 mph makes it choppy. The wave energy is weak (206). Thursday afternoon and Friday morning are weak too, though Friday morning offers a brief glimpse of hope with near-glass conditions and a tiny 3ft swell from the NE, but it’s only 6-second period and the energy is low (89). It’s surfable but very ordinary.

From Friday afternoon through to Sunday the 30th, it’s a long stretch of poor surf. The swell stays small, mostly under 4ft, with short periods and persistent cross-on winds. There are a few mornings with glassy or clean conditions, like Saturday the 22nd and Monday the 24th, but the swell is too weak (47–90) to really get excited about. You’ll be looking at ankle-to-knee-high slop. The pattern is consistent: nothing worth paddling out for.

The standout window arrives on Monday the 31st of August. The afternoon brings a solid 12ft swell from the ENE with an 8-second period, and the combined wave energy is massive (1481). Winds are cross-on at 12 mph, so it’s going to be a bit lumpy, but the swell size is huge. That said, for a beginner-friendly beach break, this is way too big – only for experienced surfers, and even then the short period means it’ll be a bit of a washing machine. If you’re an expert and don’t mind the challenge, this is the biggest push of the run, but it’s not for everyone. The morning of the 31st has 7ft at 7 seconds, also messy, but still powerful.

Wednesday the 2nd of September looks promising. The morning brings a 5ft swell from the east with a 9-second period, and for the first time in a while we get offshore winds from the WSW at 12 mph. That means clean, lined-up waves with moderate energy (391). It’s a good option for intermediate to advanced surfers, and the offshore wind should keep the faces smooth. The following Thursday morning (3rd) and Friday morning (4th) also offer glassy conditions with small but clean swell from the SSE, though the energy drops off (262–218). The swell direction is a bit off for optimum, but the glassy mornings make up for it.

For the best of the bunch, I’d highlight Wednesday the 2nd of September morning. The offshore wind, 5ft east swell, and clean conditions make it the most user-friendly standout. The big Monday the 31st afternoon is a monster but only for the brave. The rest of the window is mostly quiet, with a few glassy mornings that are worth a look if you’re desperate for a paddle.

Stay patient, and keep an eye on the offshore days. This is Forster Beach – it’s not a world-class slab, but when the wind and swell line up, it can be a fun little wave.

Rusty.

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