Indian Head Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s get into it for Indian Head.

Honest truth, mate—this stretch of the next two weeks is a real fixer-upper. The opening’s a bit grim with no real surf to speak of until Friday the 11th, and even then it’s nothing to write home about. But hang tight, because there’s a couple of windows that might just get the blood pumping if you’re patient.

We kick off with a bit of a dead start. Wednesday the 9th through to Friday morning the 11th is all poor to marginal conditions. Tiny lines, poor surf, cross-chop, and a water temp anomaly of zilch (about 59°F), so the water feels pretty average for this time of year. Nothing doing.

Now, Friday the 11th shows a pulse. The morning at Indian Head sees a 5 ft swell from the WNW at 9 seconds—short period, so it’ll be a bit crumbly and messy. The wind’s light cross-onshore from the SW at just 3 mph, which keeps the chop minimal, but it’s not clean. Combined energy is moderate at 584. Not a stand-out, but it’s the first real bump. The afternoon drops to 2 ft SW at 16 seconds—longer period but way smaller. It’s still marginal.

Saturday the 12th morning is where it gets interesting. Indian Head delivers a 2 ft SW groundswell at a decent 15 seconds, which is long enough to give the wave some shape. The wind is glassy—utter glass—at 3 mph from the WNW, so the surface will be like a mirror. Combined energy sits at 428 (moderate). This is the pick of the first week, but the swell’s small, so it’s better for a longboard or a funboard. Best on offer? I’d say this Saturday morning is your standout. Crowds are “often” here, and with the glassy conditions I’d expect a few others have the same idea.

From Sunday the 13th onward, it fades away again. Wind picks up to 16 mph from the S on Sunday morning, cross-shore chop, tiny swell—poor conditions. The whole of the following week (Monday the 14th through Saturday the 19th) is flat to ankle-biters: 1 ft to 2 ft swells with cross-winds and cross-chop. The combined energy drops to 229, then 210, then 133—weak energy, barely a ripple. Saturday morning the 19th shows a 2 ft SW swell at 19 seconds (long period), but cross-onshore wind and marginal conditions. Not worth dragging the wetsuit on for.

There’s a gap of poor surf from Sunday 13th right through to Monday 21st morning, with only marginal flickers. Monday 21st afternoon sees a bit of a bump: 2 ft SW at 18 seconds with cross-shore winds, but it’s still poor.

Now, Tuesday the 22nd is where it gets interesting for the heavy crew. Morning: 5 ft WNW at 8 seconds—short period and at the threshold for beginners (5 ft is a bit much for learners). Wind is cross from the N at 9 mph, so it’s a bit bumpy. Combined energy jumps to 508 (moderate to strong). Afternoon: 6 ft NW at 8 seconds, with cross winds from the N at 16 mph and combined energy of 898—that’s strong energy. This is over 5 ft, so it’s not for beginners, and at 6 ft it’s getting into expert territory. The short period (8 seconds) means the waves will be fat and chunky, not super clean, but there’s power. It’s a standout for the second week for experienced surfers. Wednesday the 23rd morning cleans up: cross-offshore wind from the NE at 9 mph, 6 ft WNW at 10 seconds, combined energy 620, and the forecast says “clean.” That’s the best of the late period—clean, solid, and with a little more shape. After that it fades to 3 ft on Thursday 24th and then drops off again.

To sum it up: the one true highlight is Saturday 12th morning for small, glassy, clean waves. The second standout is the Tuesday 22nd/Wednesday 23rd window for size and power—but that’s for the more experienced lot. The rest of the fortnight is a lot of waiting.

Rusty.

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