Jacobs Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s on the cards for Jacobs Bay over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a real mixed bag. The surf window opens up on the morning of Saturday, 29 August, but don’t get too excited. The standout early call is that Saturday morning itself – we’ve got a clean 5 ft swell rolling in from the WSW with a 14-second period. Combined wave energy is sitting at 1025 (moderate energy) and with light 6 mph cross-offshore breeze out of the SSE, the conditions are glassy and lined up. This is beginner-friendly height, clean, and the wind is bang on. Crowds can pop up here sometimes, but for a morning session, you’ll be smiling.

Sunday morning the 30th, the swell jumps to 10 ft from the SW, 13-second period, but the cross-off wind freshens to 22 mph. That’s pushing into expert-only territory height-wise, and the energy cranks up to 2418 (strong). Honestly, the wind is too punchy for a fun paddle. The afternoon is messy, so Sunday is a pass for me.

Monday the 31st is more of the same – solid 6 ft swell but cross-shore winds and lumpy conditions mean it’s not worth your time. Tuesday 1 September sees that SW swell hit 8 ft in the morning and 10 ft in the afternoon, but with moderate onshore cross-shore wind. The energy is huge (2241 to 3097) but it’s a messy, blown-out scene. This stretch from Monday through Wednesday is a write-off for quality surfing.

Thursday 3 September morning brings a bit of hope – 6 ft WSW swell, 13-second period, and clean cross-off wind from the SE at 12 mph. Energy’s 1819 (moderate-strong). It’s rideable but marginal. The afternoon turns nasty with near gale force winds, so get out early.

Now here’s a real whisper for you – Saturday 5 September morning. The swell drops to 4 ft from the SSE, 10-second period, and light 6 mph cross-offshore breeze. Combined energy is low at 680 (weak), but the conditions are described as excellent. It’s small and clean, perfect for longboard or funboard. Crowds are a possibility, but the setting is inviting.

After that, the surf fades hard. From Sunday 6 September through Tuesday 8 September, we’re looking at waist-high dribble – 2 ft to 3 ft swells – and mostly cross-shore winds. Not worth a paddle. There’s a tiny window on Wednesday 9 September morning with a 3 ft SW groundswell (13-second period) and light offshore breeze, but it’s very small.

Thursday 10 September sees a long-period, 18-second WSW groundswell pushing 4 ft, but it’s coming with a fresh cross-shore wind and lumpy energy at 1401. Not clean enough.

The last serious pulse hits on Friday 11 September through Saturday 12 September – massive 10 ft to 12 ft SW swells with very high energy (4521 to 5323), but they’re all too big for this break and marked as such. Only for the brave or the very experienced, and only with clean offshore winds on Saturday morning.

Finally, Sunday 13 September morning brings it back down to a manageable 8 ft from the SW, 12-second period, with light cross-offshore wind. Combined energy is 1682 (moderate-strong), and it’s described as excellent for experienced surfers. That’s your best bet in the second week – clean, powerful, and well-shaped.

Water temperature is sitting near average for this time of year. Nothing unusual to report.

So to sum it up: the standout sessions are the Saturday morning of 29 August for the beginners and intermediates, and the Saturday morning of 5 September for the small-wave crew. If you’ve got the skill and the nerve, the Sunday 13 September morning is a gem for experienced surfers. The rest of the period is either too big, too windy, or too flat.

Rusty.

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