Lyall Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s run through what’s in store for Lyall Bay. The start is a bit slow, but there’s some decent swell lined up. This covers the next 16 days, and the first real chance to get wet is Monday the 14th of September.

Monday morning the 14th is the kick-off. Swell is 6ft out of the south with a 12-second period, giving a moderate combined energy (911). The wind is light offshore from the north, so it’s glassy – expect very good conditions. Water temp is 55°, right around average for this time of year. By Monday afternoon, the swell drops to 5ft, still south, period 11 seconds, and the wind stays light offshore – still good surf but a little smaller.

Tuesday the 15th fades to 3ft with a 10-second period, and the wind picks up to 15 mph from the north, offshore but cranking. It’s clean but tiny – poor surf. Wednesday and Thursday stay small and blowy, with near-gale winds, so nothing worthwhile.

Friday the 18th and Saturday the 19th are still rough. Saturday morning has a brief window with 2ft south-southwest swell, 14-second period, offshore wind, and moderate combined energy (352) – clean but barely knee-high. Not worth a paddle.

The standout arrives Monday the 21st of September. Morning swell jumps to 6ft out of the south-southwest with a very long 15-second period, and the combined energy is strong (1499). Wind is offshore from the north-northwest at 22 mph – fresh offshore, clean lines, but stiff. This is groundswell, so expect good shape with longer lulls, better suited to points or reefs around here.

Wednesday the 23rd of September is for experts only. Swell hits a huge 13ft out of the south with a short 9-second period – combined energy is massive (2924). That’s too big for Lyall Bay, and the data says the same. Wind is cross-offshore and clean, but only big-wave specialists should even think about it.

Thursday the 24th and Friday the 25th settle down a bit. Thursday morning has 7ft south swell with 14-second period and strong offshore wind – combined energy strong (1887). It’s still big but more manageable. Friday morning brings 5ft from the south, 12-second period, moderate offshore wind, and good surf expected – clean and solid.

The best stretch comes Monday the 28th and Tuesday the 29th of September. Monday afternoon sees 5ft south swell (10-second period) with gentle offshore wind from the north-northwest – combined energy moderate (857) and very good conditions. Tuesday morning the 29th is the pick: 6ft south swell, 12-second period, light offshore from the north, combined energy moderate (844), and the call is “expect very good surf conditions.” That’s the one – clean, consistent, and not too crowded.

So the first week has a few bright spots, notably the 14th and the standout on the 21st. The second week gets better from the 24th onward, with Monday the 28th and Tuesday the 29th being the real gems. Long-range stuff is always a bit iffy, but this looks promising.

Rusty.

Read more