Hunting Island Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on offer for the next couple of weeks. I’ll be honest with ya, it’s a lean stretch. We’re looking at a long run of nothing special, with only one brief window where things might just about come together.

We kick things off on Monday the 31st of August and the news ain't great. First up at Hunting Island, we've got a tiny 2 ft swell from the SE with a short 8-second period and a combined energy of just 55 – that’s weak. To make matters worse, we’ve got a risk of thunderstorms and a cross-onshore wind messing it up. The water temp is sitting at 84°, which is about average for this time of year. This is a beginner spot, but honestly, there’s nothing to ride here.

This poor run just keeps on going. All through that first week and into the second, we see nothing but tiny swells, often under 3 ft, with lousy short periods and unfavourable winds. The wave comment is “poor surf conditions” day after day. There’s a bit of a bump on Wednesday morning the 2nd of September where the period jumps to 11 seconds for a 3 ft SE swell, with combined energy hitting 166 (moderate), but the wind is onshore from the east, mucking it up. No good.

We finally get a clean window on Wednesday the 9th of September. It’s the first time we see the word “clean” in the description. The swell is still tiny, only 1 ft, but it’s from the ESE with a period of 10 seconds and a light offshore wind from the west. Combined energy is 65, so it’s weak, but the conditions will be glassy. This is surfable, but it’s very ordinary. If you’re desperate for a paddle, this is your only real look.

There's a long, quiet gap after that. The 10th through to the 14th of September is all tiny waves, mostly poor conditions, and barely any energy – some days the combined energy is as low as 18. It’s a write-off.

Then, right at the end of the window on Tuesday the 15th of September, we see something bigger. The afternoon brings a 6 ft swell from the ENE, but with a short 7-second period and a rough cross-shore wind from the south at 12 mph. The combined energy shoots up to 330 (strong), but the wind and short period will make it a messy, lumpy beast. It’s a “poor surf conditions” call. Honestly, with that wind and that short period on a beach break, this looks far more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer. It’d be a washing machine for anyone on a board.

Bottom line: There is no standout session here. The only remotely usable surf is on Wednesday the 9th of September, but it’s for beginners only and the waves are ankle-high. The rest of this 16-day run is a blank. For this area, a stretch this quiet isn't unusual, but it doesn’t mean it’ll stay this way – forecasts can change.

Rusty.

Read more