Haubush Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.

First up, I’ve got to be straight with you – the next couple of weeks around Haubush are looking pretty grim. We’re staring down a long stretch of messy, cross-shore winds that are just ruining what could be a fun wave. The water is sitting at a warm 82°F, which is about average for this time of year, so at least you won’t need a thick wetsuit.

For the first week, from Friday the 28th of August right through until the afternoon of the 4th of September, it’s a write-off. Every single day is showing “poor surf conditions” with a fresh breeze from the ENE (19-22 mph) smashing the surface up. The swell is there, sure, with a mix of short-period windswell (6-8 seconds) and some longer period pulses (14-16 seconds), but the wind is just too strong and cross-shore to leave anything clean. The combined swell energy is mostly moderate (442 to 644) but it doesn’t matter when the ocean looks like chopped-up soup. Don’t even bother paddling out.

Then, on the afternoon of Friday the 4th of September, we finally get a tiny glimmer. The wind shifts to a cross-offshore direction from the NE at 16 mph, and the conditions go “clean.” The swell is 4ft from the ENE at 9 seconds (moderate energy of 600). It’s only a marginal surf forecast, but it’s the first clean window we’ve seen. If you’re desperate, you could get a few, but it’s not a standout.

The weekend of the 5th and 6th of September goes right back to the same old story: cross-shore wind and lumpy conditions. The swell is around 4ft to 4ft from the E and ENE, with moderate energy (485-680), but the wind is just too fresh and messy.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting, but with a big caveat. On Monday the 7th of September, the swell really kicks in. We’re looking at 8ft from the ENE at 11 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to a strong 2176. But the wind is still a fresh cross-shore from the ENE at 16 mph, so it’s a lumpy, difficult paddle. The surf is marginal, and with that size, it’s getting into expert-only territory, especially when it’s messy. This pattern of big, strong swell (6ft to 7ft) and fresh cross-shore wind continues through to the 10th of September.

The real standout – the one to watch – is the afternoon of Tuesday the 8th of September. The wind goes cross-offshore from the NE at 19 mph, the conditions are “clean,” and we’ve got a 4ft swell from the SSW with a very long period of 15 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell. The combined energy is still strong at 1061. For a reef like Haubush, that long-period swell is going to fire down the line, offering super clean, well-shaped waves. It’s only in the 3ft to 5ft range, so it’s manageable for intermediates, but the crowds will likely be there because it’s often busy. That afternoon is your best bet in the whole 16-day window.

The next highlight is on the morning of Wednesday the 9th of September. We get a much lighter wind, only 6 mph from the E (light cross-shore), with a 7ft, 8-second swell from the E. The energy is moderate (899). It’s a marginal surf forecast, but that light wind will keep the ripples small. It’s a bit of a short-period windswell, so it won’t have the punch of the Tuesday, but it’s a solid option.

After that, we see a shift. On the morning of Friday the 11th of September, the wind finally comes from the W at 9 mph – a cross-offshore direction – with clean conditions. The swell is 5ft from the SSE at 10 seconds (moderate energy of 602). It’s marginal, but clean. The afternoon of the 11th is similar, with a 5ft from the S.

The run ends on the 12th of September with a morning onshore from the SSE and a weak, short-period swell, and then a light cross-onshore in the afternoon. Not worth chasing.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a complete loss. The second week has some promising, clean windows, but the standout is the afternoon of the 8th of September at Haubush. Mark it. For the rest of the time, keep your board in the car and wait for that wind to cooperate.

Rusty.

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