Geriba Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s have a look at the charts for Geriba.

First thing to say, it’s a bit of a slow start. The forecast kicks off on Sunday, August 30th, but honestly, there’s nothing to get excited about for the first few days. We’re looking at tiny, weak waves with hardly any energy in the water – the combined swell energy is down at just 9 on Sunday morning. Glassy conditions, sure, but you’d be floating around on a 0.7ft ripple. That’s a paddle board day, not a surf day. This flat spell stretches right through Monday and Tuesday, with only a slight uptick on Tuesday morning from a fresh offshore breeze, but the swell is still a pathetic 1ft from the south with a short 8-second period. Not worth suiting up for.

Wednesday, September 2nd, things start to get a bit more interesting, but it’s messy. A strong cross-onshore wind from the WSW is blowing at 25 mph, and while the swell bumps up to 3ft in the morning and 5ft in the afternoon, the period is a dismal 6 seconds. The combined energy climbs to 76 in the morning and 141 in the afternoon, which is still only moderate, but the wind is ruining it. This is more of a kite-surfing setup than a clean paddle session.

Now, Thursday, September 3rd, is where we see our first real chance. The morning shows a 5ft south swell with a 10-second period, and the combined energy hits 379 (moderate). The wind is a light cross-shore from the ESE at 3 mph, which is workable to clean. By the afternoon, it gets even better: the swell pushes to 5ft, the energy jumps to 506 (moderate to strong), and the wind shifts to a cross-offshore from the east at 16 mph. That’s clean, lined-up surf. This is your pick for the first week – Thursday afternoon. The swell direction is south, which is close to the optimum SE direction for Geriba. It’s a beginner-friendly break, but at 5ft, it’s getting a bit punchy for total newbies. Crowds are often here, so expect company.

Friday, September 4th, has a morning with a fresh offshore NE wind at 22 mph and a 3ft SSE swell with an 11-second period, giving 290 energy. It’s clean and fast, but the size is a bit smaller. The afternoon drops off to 3ft, so the morning is the better window.

The weekend of September 5th and 6th is a write-off. Saturday drops back to tiny, poor surf, and Sunday brings some rain and a messy 5ft to 5ft south swell with a short 6-7 second period, onshore winds, and choppy conditions. The energy is moderate (230-328), but it’s sloppy.

Monday, September 7th, has a bigger south swell of 6ft in the morning, with a 10-second period and a massive 755 energy (strong). The wind is a moderate cross-shore from the ESE, so it’s not clean, but there’s plenty of power. This is expert territory at 6ft – too big for beginners. The afternoon holds at 6ft.

The middle of the second week (September 8th-10th) is a mixed bag. Tuesday and Wednesday are mostly small and clean but weak. Then Thursday, September 10th afternoon, is a standout in the second week: a 4ft east swell with an 8-second period, clean cross-offshore wind from the ENE at 6 mph, and 216 energy. The east swell isn’t the optimum direction, but the conditions are good. I’d call that promising.

The final days from September 11th to 14th tail off. Friday and Saturday have some energy but the wind is onshore or cross, and the size drops. Sunday, September 13th, is a fresh cross-onshore mess. Monday, September 14th, finishes with a 4ft SSE swell at 11 seconds and 347 energy, but a light cross-onshore wind keeps it marginal.

So, the best on offer? Thursday, September 3rd afternoon, for the cleanest, most powerful waves in the first week. And if you’re looking further out, Thursday, September 10th afternoon, is a solid second-week option, though less certain. Water temp is 72°, bang on average for this time of year.

Rusty.

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