Freshwater Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Hey, Rusty here, your local surf reporter. Let’s be straight with you: the next 16 days are a tough stretch for wave riding around here. We’ve got a long, lean run ahead. Looking at the charts, there’s a real gap of surfable energy, with only a couple of fleeting moments that might get you wet. It’s one of those periods where the ocean is taking a nap, and we’ve got to be patient.

First up, a word on the water. When we do get a wave, the water temperature is sitting at a notable 68°F, which is a massive 6°F warmer than usual for this time of year. That’s a very unusual anomaly, so you can leave the thick wetsuit at home.

The first real sniff of something comes on Thursday, September 4th. Friday morning sees a bump in size with a 7ft swell from the WSW, but the combined energy is moderate at 453. The wind is a cross-offshore from the WNW at 12 mph, which will keep the surface clean. Freshwater Bay is a reef and point setup, and it favours a SW swell direction. The 7ft size is a bit much for beginners, but it’s on the edge of being fun for intermediates. However, the swell period is a short 7 seconds, so it’ll be a bit fat and crumbly. The quality is marginal, and it’s a one-hit wonder. Things fizzle out fast after that Saturday morning.

The pick of the entire 16-day run, and it’s a stretch to call it a standout, is the Monday afternoon, September 7th. A long-period groundswell of 13 seconds from the WSW rolls in at 4ft. The combined energy jumps to a moderate 491, which is the highest we’ll see. The wind is a clean cross-offshore from the WNW at 16 mph. For a point break, that long-period energy will wrap in nicely, offering longer, more powerful lines. It’s not big, but the quality of the wave will be a step above everything else. Just keep in mind that crowds are possible at Freshwater Bay, so you might have some company.

After that, it’s a long, dry spell. There’s a tiny pulse on Tuesday, September 15th, with a very glassy morning and a 2ft swell from the W, but the energy is weak at 101 and the wind is cross-onshore. The rest of the window is filled with tiny, short-period, weak waves or flat spells. The 16th and 17th are almost completely flat, with only a few inches of swell on offer.

Honestly, if you’ve got a kite, the consistent cross-offshore winds on the 10th, 11th, and 18th might be more interesting than paddle surfing. The 6ft to 5ft chop on the 10th with fresh cross-offshore winds could be a goer for the kite crew.

For now, pencil in the afternoon of September 7th at Freshwater Bay. It’s not a classic, but it’s the best we’ve got. The rest of the time, give the water a break.

Rusty.

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