Jacobs Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on offer. The only spot we’ve got to work with is Jacobs Bay, and it’s a bit of a rocky ride for the next 16 days.

The first few days are a write-off, I’m sorry to say. Friday the 4th of September has a heavy 12ft swell from the south, but it’s way too big for this beginner-friendly break, despite the clean conditions. You’d be crazy to paddle out – that’s expert territory if anything. The wind is howling from the SE at 25 mph, making it a cross-off, but the sheer size kills it. Saturday the 5th is a mess too – the swell drops a bit, but the wind is onshore and lumpy, so no joy there.

We’ve got a total gap of no good surf from the start of the period right through until the morning of Sunday the 6th. Then, finally, something interesting. Sunday morning the 6th sees a 6ft swell from the southwest, but hold your horses – the period is a massive 18 seconds. That’s a very long-period groundswell, which means incredible energy and shape, but it’s a tricky one for a beach break; it might break too straight. The combined wave energy is strong (2581). The wind is light and variable, near glassy, so it’ll be clean. Honestly, this is the standout of the whole forecast. It’s excellent for experienced surfers, and the water is much colder than normal for this time of year at 55°, so bring a thick suit. The afternoon goes a bit mushy with a cross-shore breeze, so grab the morning.

The rest of the first week is a letdown. Monday the 7th has a decent 7ft swell but with onshore and cross-off winds, it’s not worth the paddle. A few smaller swells mid-week, but the wind is never on your side, often making a cross-chop mess. The 8ft swell on Thursday the 10th is there, but the wind is a fresh 22 mph cross-shore, so it’s lumpy and poor.

Now, the second week. The morning of Saturday the 12th spits out a 10ft swell from the southwest (energy 3878 – strong), with clean cross-off winds, but once again, it’s too big for this spot. The same goes for Sunday the 13th. The afternoon of the 13th has a decent 7ft swell with light winds – it’s clean and rated excellent for experienced surfers, but the crowd factor is a "sometimes" thing, so you might have company. The 14th of September morning has a tiny 3ft swell with offshore east wind, making it glassy and clean, but it’s small fry.

The final real shot is the 18th of September. That Friday morning will see a 15ft swell from the southwest with a period of 14 seconds and a combined energy of 7201 – that’s very strong. The wind is light and cross-onshore, but the size is absolutely monstrous. This is for experts only, and even then, it’s a beast. After that, the swell hangs around at 8ft on the 19th, but the wind is a cross-shore mess again.

So, to boil it down: if you’re an experienced surfer, the absolute best window is the morning of Sunday the 6th of September – that 6ft, 18-second groundswell with glassy conditions is a rare treat. The other possible go is the afternoon of Sunday the 13th, but it’s not as good. Everything else is either too big, too windy, or too small. For a beginner, there’s nothing in this window that’s safe and rideable. The long gaps are the norm here when the swell gets cranking.

Rusty.

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