Jacobs Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, grab a coffee and settle in, 'cause I’m gonna run through the next 16 days for Jacobs Bay.

We’re looking at a bit of a mixed bag here. The first few days are bumpy, but there’s a definite bright spot mid-week, and then again towards the end of the window. There’s a longish gap of poor conditions in between, so you gotta pick your moments.

Tuesday 25 August kicks things off, but it’s a write-off. A 7ft SW swell with a cross-off wind and a massive 2296 (strong) energy reading is on the cards, but the tide is questionable and the comment says it’s marginal at best. Tuesday arvo gets a big fat cross-shore chop. Don’t bother.

Wednesday 26 August morning is where it gets interesting. We’ve got a 6ft WSW groundswell, period a solid 13 seconds, and the wind is glassy out of the east at just 3 mph. This is the first real standout. Clean, glassy waves with moderate energy (1307). The forecast reckons it’s excellent for experienced surfers. This is the best of the early week, no question. Crowds are sometimes a thing here.

Thursday 27 drops off. The swell drops to 5ft from the SSW, wind goes cross-on or onshore, and energy is weak (832). Not worth the paddle.

Friday 28 is even smaller, with a 3ft to 4ft WSW swell and moderate cross-shore wind. Energy is weak (699-855). Nope.

Saturday 29 morning brings a tiny bit of hope. 4ft WSW swell, glassy wind again. Energy is weak (906), but it's clean for a beginner. Not a standout, but a possible low-key session.

Sunday 30 morning sees a 8ft SW swell roll in with 2143 (moderate) energy, but it’s cross-shore and choppy. Not clean.

Then we hit a rough patch. From Monday 31 August through to Thursday 3 September, it’s a mess. Swell is up but the wind is howling – strong breeze right through to fresh breeze, cross-shore or cross-on, and the energy readings are all over the place but the conditions are consistently labelled poor. There’s a stretch where it’s just not worth it. On Wednesday morning, we get an 12ft WSW swell with 4573 (strong) energy, but it’s cross-on and big – too big for most and messy.

Friday 4 September morning the swell is 10ft from the south, cross-off wind, energy is a massive 4888 (very strong). The comment says it’s too big for this break – that’s expert-only territory, and even then it’ll be a handful.

Saturday 5 September morning is the second real standout. A clean 6ft S groundswell with a 13-second period, cross-off wind from the ENE at just 3 mph. Energy is moderate (1267). The forecast says it’s excellent for experienced surfers. This is a good one.

Sunday 6 September morning looks promising again. 6ft WSW groundswell, period 17 seconds (very long period), cross-off wind from the ENE. Energy is strong (3074). The long period means it’ll have good shape but might be a bit straight for the beach break – better if it wraps into a point or reef. Still, it’s a top call. The arvo holds a 7ft WSW swell with 3699 (strong) energy and light cross-shore wind – also worth a look.

Monday 7 September onwards the wind picks up again, turning lumpy and then messy. The last few days are a write-off with strong cross-onshore winds and poor conditions. By Wednesday 9 September, the swell is down to 2ft and energy is a titchy 286. Time to hang up the board for a bit.

So, if you’re looking for the cream: Wednesday 26 August morning is the clean, glassy standout. The other real highlight is Saturday 5 September morning – clean, solid, and well-shaped. Sunday 6 September morning is a very close third, but that long period might throw a curveball at the beach break. Crowds can be a factor at Jacobs Bay, so get in early for those windows.

That’s how I see it. Stay salty.

- Rusty

Read more