Jacobs Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here with the long-range look at Jacobs Bay. We’ve got a solid 16-day window to chew through, but it’s a real mixed bag. The first few days are a bust for paddle surfing, but there are some absolute gems hidden in there for the patient surfer.

The water is sitting at 54°F right now, which is a massive 6°F colder than usual for this time of year. That’s very unusual, so you’ll want a thick wetsuit and maybe some booties if you’re heading out.

The first real standout we’re looking at is Thursday, September 3rd, in the morning. Jacobs Bay is a beginner-friendly break, and this is the sweet spot. We’ve got a clean 6ft swell rolling in from the WSW with a nice 13-second period. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the SSE at only 3 mph, which is going to keep the faces clean. The wave energy is moderate (1306), and it’s just right for experienced surfers to have a blast. Bigger swell than this would be too much for a beginner, but this is prime.

The absolute standout of the whole forecast, though, is Sunday morning, September 6th. Glassy conditions. The wind is from the NNW at 3 mph, and it’s described as glass. That’s a massive positive. You’re looking at a long-period groundswell of 7ft from the SW with a very long 18-second period. That’s a lot of energy (2946) and it’s going to produce some beautiful, well-shaped lines. The long period means it’ll be a bit more walled up, which is perfect for a point or reef, but at Jacobs Bay, keep an eye on the sets. For a surfer who knows what they’re doing, this is the session to clear your calendar for.

After that, the conditions get a bit messy with cross-shore winds and less consistent energy. There’s a small window on Tuesday morning, September 8th, with a clean 4ft swell from the SSW and light cross-offshore wind, but it’s a drop in size compared to the Sunday peak.

The second week is a bit of a write-off for quality surf. There’s a lot of wind and bigger, unruly swell. The setup on Saturday, September 12th, into Sunday, September 13th, sees a massive spike in energy (3538 and 4518), but the swell is too big for this break, and the winds are strong and cross. It’s a real battle out there and frankly, looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. The same goes for Monday the 14th and Wednesday the 16th – plenty of swell, but it’s a mess with strong winds and poor conditions.

So, to sum it up: the first week has the good stuff. Lock in the morning of the 3rd for a clean, fun session, and the morning of the 6th for what could be the wave of the period. The rest is a waiting game.

Rusty.

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