Ketewel Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for the next couple of weeks on this stretch of coast.

We’re in for a pretty frustrating run, to be honest. For the first week and a half or so, the wind is just not playing ball. It’s mostly a cross-on or onshore breeze from the ESE through to SE, which is gonna leave things choppy and messy. There’s a decent amount of energy in the water, but the quality just isn't there for a proper surf. This is a reef set-up, so it needs clean conditions to shine, and we’re not gettin’ ‘em.

The swell is mainly a long-period groundswell from the SSW, and there’s plenty of size – mostly in the 5 ft to 8 ft range. The combined energy is strong, often in the thousands (1473 to 3753), but that doesn’t mean much when the wind is trashing it. For the advanced crew, a lot of these days will be frustrating, and for anyone else, it’s a total write-off. The water temp is around 81°, which is pretty average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Let's break it down. The first recommendation doesn't pop up until Saturday the 5th of September, and even then, it’s just a “marginal” call. That’s a solid 5-day wait from the start of this outlook with nothing worth paddling for. From that point on, right through to Tuesday the 15th of September, every single session is rated as marginal at best.

Now, for the one small light in the tunnel. The standout window, if we can even call it that, looks to be around Tuesday the 8th of September. On the Tuesday afternoon, we get a little lull in the wind – a light breeze from the SSE, putting it onshore but glassy enough to clean things up. The swell is a solid 8 ft from the SSW, with a very long period of 18 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell. The combined energy is a massive 3753. This is a big, powerful swell. It will be breaking a bit straight at this reef, but for an expert surfer, that’s some serious juice. This is the closest we get to a top pick, but it’s still only a 2 out of 10, so keep your expectations low.

Wednesday the 9th of September morning is another one to eye, with the same light onshore flow, 8 ft SSW swell, and a score of 3 out of 10. Similar deal.

Any other day, you’re battling 9 to 12 mph cross-on winds, which is just no good for this spot. Because of the consistent onshore wind and the exposed nature of the break, this setup honestly looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing through this whole period. The reef is an advanced-only wave anyway, and with the wind in this direction, the quality just isn't there for us.

All in all, a tough stretch. There’s plenty of swell, but the conditions are stubborn. Keep your eye on that window around the 8th and 9th of September for the best chance.

Rusty.

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