Kitty Hawk Pier Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on offer at Kitty Hawk Pier. It's been a bit of a flat spell, that's for sure.

We're kicking off this 16-day window with a whole lot of nothing. The first real chance of a wave doesn't show up until Sunday the 13th, and even then it's just small and ordinary. We've got a gap of quiet days here at the start with no real recommendations, just tiny, weak swells and cross-shore breezes messing things up. The wait is on.

Friday 11th and Saturday 12th are a write-off. Tiny waves, poor conditions. You'd be better off with a beach chair.

Sunday 13th finally gives us the first surfable wave of the period. It's not going to blow your mind, but there's a glimmer of hope. We're looking at a 2ft swell from the ESE, and the morning brings a clean offshore wind out of the WSW. The combined energy is weak at 73, but it's clean. Afternoon goes lighter with the wind but the swell drops off. It's a start.

The whole week that follows is a grind. Monday 14th through Sunday 20th is mostly poor, with onshore and cross-shore winds corrupting any swell that tries to push in. There are a couple of bursts of energy – Monday afternoon the 14th sees the swell jump to 5ft from the NNE, but it's a messy, wind-whipped beast with a 25 mph cross-wind and a junk short period of 5 seconds. That kind of setup with a beach break looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. The combined energy hits 143 but it's ugly. It's a similar story all the way through, with moderate cross-onshore winds.

Then things get interesting.

Monday 21st September is the first true standout, but with a big caveat. The morning is glassy, with a 7ft swell from the ENE. That's a proper size. It's a bit of a lumpy period at 7 seconds, so it won't be the cleanest groundswell, but in glassy conditions at a pier, it'll be doable. Water temp is about 80°, which is a touch warmer than normal for the time of year.

But the real gem is Tuesday 22nd September. This is the one. The morning session is an absolute cracker for experienced surfers. We're looking at a solid 12ft swell from the ENE with a 9-second period – that's serious energy, with a combined energy reading of 2044. It's glassy. There's no wind. Zilch. This is a big, powerful, clean groundswell hitting an exposed beach break. Anything over 8ft is expert territory, and this is 12ft. The period is long enough to have proper power. If you're not an expert, park the car and watch. The afternoon stays big at 12ft, but a moderate south wind comes in and puts a cross-chop on it, so the morning is the window.

Wednesday 23rd is still pumping, with a 7ft swell from the east and very light cross-onshore breeze in the morning. It's not as good as Tuesday morning, but it's solid.

Thursday 24th sees a drop in swell and the return of onshore junk.

Friday 25th September is another major standout, but it's promising but less certain this far out. We've got a 13ft swell from the ENE with an 11-second period. The combined energy is massive at 3738. The morning has a clean cross-offshore wind from the southwest. That's an absolute monster, and while the period is long and good for shape, a 13ft swell at a beach break will be a washing machine even with good wind. Again, this is strictly for experts. The afternoon goes lighter wind but stays big.

Saturday 26th is the last day in the window. The swell is still 10ft from the east, but a fresh cross-onshore wind from the ENE chops it all up. The magic is over.

So, the two standouts are clear: Tuesday 22nd September morning for the glassy, expert-level 12ft swell, and Friday 25th September morning for the huge, clean 13ft swell. The rest of the two weeks is a wait for those two windows.

Rusty out.

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