Harlyn Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s ahead for Harlyn.

Honestly, the next couple of weeks are looking pretty grim for any kind of decent surf. This is a tough stretch for a sheltered spot like Harlyn – we need the wind and swell to line up, and they just aren’t doing it. There’s a long, drawn-out period of poor conditions, with only one morning that might offer a glimmer of hope, and even that’s a bit of a question mark. If you’re desperate for a paddle, that’s your best shot, but I wouldn’t get my hopes up.

Let’s break it down. We start this Sunday, the 13th of September, with some waist-high-ish swell around 5 feet out of the west, but a strong southwesterly cross-offshore wind is messing with the shape. The water temp is 64°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year (anomaly of 3°). The combined wave energy is moderate (448), but the forecast calls it marginal, and I’d agree – it’s not worth the effort.

From Sunday afternoon right through to Saturday the 19th, it’s all poor. The wind stays cross or onshore, the swell is messy, and the period is short and weak. On Tuesday the 15th, a fresh WNW wind kicks up 7 feet of windswell, but it’s a lumpy, cross-onshore mess. The wave energy jumps to 522 (still moderate), but the quality is junk. Wednesday the 16th sees the biggest energy of the whole run (821), but again, it’s cross-onshore and ugly.

The only real standout is the morning of Sunday, the 20th of September. We’ve got a 5 feet swell from the WNW with a period of 10 seconds – a decent groundswell that should have some shape. The wind is light southerly and offshore, which is a major positive. The combined energy is moderate at 531, and the forecast actually says “expect good surf conditions” for that morning. This is the one to circle on your calendar. Keep in mind Harlyn is inconsistent, so a decent window is a rare treat. The crowds here are often, so expect some company if you go.

After that morning, it goes back to poor. Monday the 21st has a smaller, cleaner looking swell (3 feet, 13 sec period, 283 energy), but the wind is messy. From Tuesday the 22nd onward, the swell drops off hard. By Thursday the 24th, we’re looking at knee-high dribble (1 foot) with almost no energy (30). The week of the 27th is flat and windy. Even a glassy morning on the 27th with 2 feet isn’t going to do anything.

So, to sum it up: a long, dry spell with one possible bright spot on the morning of the 20th. It’s not a classic Harlyn run, but that offshore window could surprise you. Keep an eye on the wind that morning, and if it holds, get in the water.

Rusty.

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