Freshwater and Harbord Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Hey, Rusty here. Let me tell ya, the next 16 days at Freshwater and Harbord are a real rollercoaster, but mostly a flat one. For the most part, it’s rough out there – messy winds and poor conditions dominating the show. The water temp’s about 63°, which is spot on for this time of year, nothing wild.

We start on Wednesday the 16th with a total dud – 0.7ft of swell and a brutal 22 mph cross-on wind. That’s the pattern for the first few days. Thursday the 17th afternoon sees a sudden spike to 8ft from the SSE, but it’s a short, weak 9-second period, with onshore wind. The combined energy is moderate at 848, but it’s a gnarly, messy beach break with zero quality.

Friday the 18th morning shows a little life – glassy conditions with a NW breeze at just 3 mph, but the swell is a measly 2ft from the SE with a 7-second period. Clean, but barely a ripple. From Saturday the 19th through Thursday the 24th, it’s all cross-shore winds and tiny, weak swell. The size bumps up again on the 22nd and 23rd to 6ft to 8ft from the SSE and ENE, but it’s short-period, cross-onshore chop – not worth paddling out.

Here’s your real chance: Friday the 25th September morning. Clean, offshore wind from the NNW at just 3 mph. Swell is 5ft from the NE with a 7-second period, and the combined energy is a solid 372. This is the first session that feels like actual surfing – clean, manageable for intermediates, and far better than anything else. The wave comment says “surfable waves but very ordinary”, but with that offshore wind at this sheltered spot, it’ll be nice.

Saturday the 26th September morning is the absolute standout. Glassy flat calm with a NNE breeze at 3 mph, and the swell pushes up to 6ft from the NE. The period is still short at 7 seconds, but the combined energy jumps to 502. The wave comment says “expect good surf conditions” – the only time this whole forecast we see that. That 6ft is fun for most, but might be a bit much for beginners. The break is consistent and sheltered, and with those glassy conditions, it’ll be clean and punchy. Expect crowds though – this spot is popular.

After that, Sunday the 27th morning drops to a marginal 6ft from the NE with an 8-second period and light cross-shore wind. The energy is high at 786, but the conditions are questionable. Then it fades. Monday the 28th through Thursday the 1st of October are mostly cross-shore or onshore winds with small 3ft to 5ft swell from the ENE. Wednesday the 30th morning offers a clean offshore from the WNW at 9 mph on a 3ft, 9-second swell – surfable, but small.

So your two real windows are Friday 25th morning and Saturday 26th morning. That’s it. Everything else is a pass or a long shot. The second week is particularly weak. If you’re a beginner, aim for Friday the 25th; Saturday the 26th might be a bit heavy at 6ft. For the experts, Saturday morning with that glassy 6ft is the pick of the whole 16 days. For everyone else, it’s a long wait.

Rusty.

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